July 25, 2025

I am female Green-crowned Brilliant hummingbird

Males don't have a white spotted tummy.

I've been known to use spider webs to glue lichen to my nest

When preparing to become a mummy. 

Location: Sendero Frutti Tour & Birdwatching, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/grcbri1/cur/breeding

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 24, 2025

I am known as a Sparkling Violetear

From the front you can see why they call me "sparkling"

From the side you can see where

I got the name "violetear"

Among the blue feathers is a small, violet marking.

Location: Antisana Ecological Reserve, Quijos, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/spvear1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 23, 2025

I'm a hummingbird known as Brown Violetear

I have bright purple auriculars

In this photo it looks like just a brown patch

But when I raise them, you can see the particulars.

Location: Tandayapa, Ecuador

Sources: https://avianreport.com/feather-areas-bird/

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 22, 2025

I am a male Peruvian Racket-tail

I have a long tail that ends in rackets, hence the name

My wife has a short tail and a white spotted breast

But our fluffy orange bloomers are the same.

Location: La Brisa hummingbird feeders, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/boorat2/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 21, 2025

I am a Golden-breasted Puffleg

My neck and breast are shimmering gold

When I find a place where I want to perch

I'll raise my wings and briefly strike a pose.

Location: Reserva Yanacocha, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/gobpuf1/cur/behavior

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 20, 2025

I am a Sapphire-Vented Puffleg

I'm emerald green with a sparkly blue face

My tail is dark and deeply forked

And I'm defined by my poofy white legs.

Location: Reserva Yanacocha, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/savpuf1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 19, 2025

I am known as a Brown Inca

I'm mostly brown with a small white patch on my shoulder

Sometimes my throat is bright purple

When the light is right or I want to look bolder.

Location: Sachatamia Lodge, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/broinc2/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 18, 2025

I am known as a Common Potoo

I am a master of disguise

In the daytime I'm very difficult to see

I melt into a branch when I close my eyes.

Location: Mindo Coffee Shop, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/compot1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 17, 2025

I am a male Tourmaline Sunangel

I have a distinct, shiny blue into pink neck

The rest of me

Is mostly green

When light hits me right, there's an iridescent effect.

Location: Guango Lodge, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/tousun1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 16, 2025

I am a male Green Thorntail

My belly is green and I've no malar stripe

Unlike my mate

My tail's pointy and straight

And lives up to the "Thorntail" name hype.

Location: Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/gretho1/cur/identification

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 15, 2025

I am a male Collared Inca

I'm mostly green-black with a white tail and bib

My bill is quite long

Squeaky chatter's my song

Girl Incas dig the cut of my jib.

Location: Guango Lodge, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/colinc1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 14, 2025

I am a Buff-winged Starfrontlet

Named for the distinctive buff patch on my wing

I like to hang around forest borders

And repeat "unk, unk, unk" while dining.

Location: Reserva Yanacocha, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/buwsta1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 13, 2025

I am a female Green Thorntail 

My flight is similar to that of a bee

Unlike my mate

I have white on my face

But he has a much longer tail than me.

Location: Sendero Frutti Tour & Birdwatching, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/gretho1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 12, 2025

I am a Velvet-Purple Coronet

I'm iridescent blue-purple and white

I prefer to live in wet tropical forests

Where I feed on flowers or insects in flight.

Location: Sachatamia Lodge, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/vepcor1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 11, 2025

I am known as a Buff-tailed Coronet

I must have a good sense of humor

I'm handsome and green 

And a joy to be seen

But I also wear fluffy white bloomers!

Location: Refugio Paz de las Aves, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/butcor1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 10, 2025

I am a Rufous-Tailed Hummingbird

You can see how I got my name

My body's otherwise green

But can hardly be seen

With my wings beating so fast, what a shame!

Location: Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/rtlhum/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 9, 2025

Now let's resume our preview of my upcoming Ecuador book!

I am a male (top) Long-tailed Sylph

Shown with my wife who doesn't look quite the same

I have spectacular aqua blue rectrices

My wife does not live up to our name!

Location: Cuyuja, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/lotsyl1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 8, 2025

We are a colony of Cliff Swallows

We are social and nest together

We often brood-parasitize other nests in our group

It takes a village to raise the feathered.

Thanks to today's very special guest photographer, Brian Jordan.

Location: Register Rock State Historic Site, Power County, Idaho

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/cliswa/cur/introduction

Photo © 2025 Brian Jordan and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 7, 2025

We are a group of adult Proboscis Bats

We like to hang in a line above water

We have a white hourglass shape on our back

And are lighter colored than our sons and daughters.

Location: Sarapiqui River, Heredia Province, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Rhynchonycteris_naso/

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 6, 2025

I am known as a Turkey Vulture

I'm probably a migrant from some other place

If I was Costa Rican I'd have white lines on the back of my neck

And I'd have no white caruncles on my face.

Location: Sarapiqui River, Heredia Province, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/turvul/cur/systematics#geovar

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 5, 2025

We are known as Green Ibises

We are mostly bronzy-green

We have black tummies and short, greenish legs

And like White Ibises, we have curved down beaks.

Location: Sarapiqui River, Heredia Province, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/greibi1/cur/identification

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 4, 2025

I am known as a Mangrove Swallow

I'm small, as swallows go

I can be found near rivers, lakes and marshes,

And of course, you can find me in mangroves.

Location: Sarapiqui River, Heredia Province, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/manswa1/cur/habitat

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 3, 2025

I am a male Green Kingfisher

Females lack the rufous chest

I'm about 2/3 the size of Belted Kingfishers

And I'm mostly green, as my name suggests.

Location: Sarapiqui River, Heredia Province, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/grnkin/cur/appearance

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 2, 2025

I am a Spotted Sandpiper,

I'm a generalist so I can live any place

I forage for food near water

Insects, plants or fish - I can always feed my face!

Location: Sarapiqui River, Heredia Province, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica

Sources:  https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/sposan/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

July 1, 2025

I am known as a male Sungrebe

If I were female, there'd be a rusty patch on my face

I have a pouch under my wing to hold my chicks

It's a convenient baby storage space.

Location: Sarapiqui River, Heredia Province, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/sungre1/cur/breeding

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.