September 30, 2025

I'm known as a Red-femured Spotted Orbweaver

Part of my leg is red, but not all

I am widespread throughout the United States

But in the south I'm larger, like an 8 legged golf ball.

(Well, perhaps she wasn't as big as a golf ball, but this was one of the largest ones I've seen.)

Location: John C. Campbell Folk School, NC

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN569

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.

September 29, 2025

I am known as a Lined Orbweaver

Notice the black lines on my first and second legs

My scientific names means "hunch-backed"

You can find me in fields and at the forest edge.

Location: John C. Campbell Folk School, NC

Sources: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/arachnid/view.php?sort_order_num=82.00

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.

September 28, 2025

I am called Black-tailed Red Sheetweaver

But the black is a caudal tubercle, not a tail

It is where you would expect a tail to be

But when I try to wag it, it's just a twerk fail.

Location: John C. Campbell Folk School

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/153676-Florinda-coccinea

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.

September 27, 2025

I'm a Black Swallowtail Butterfly

In Florida you can find me almost everywhere

Except I'm not in the Florida Keys

Because my Apiaceae host plant doesn't grow there.

Location: Cocoa, James G. Bourbeau Memorial Park

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN906

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.

September 26, 2025

I am a Dainty Sulphur butterfly

My larval plants include Sneezeweed

Autumn caterpillars produce winter butterflies

Which are darker and absorb sun more efficiently.

Location: Cocoa, James G. Bourbeau Memorial Park

Sources: https://alabama.butterflyatlas.usf.edu/species/details/98/dainty-sulphur

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.

September 25, 2025

This plant is called Shaggy Portulaca

It's also called Kiss-me-quick

It's pretty but not particularly edible

So if you kiss it, it might make you sick.

(Important note about "edible" plants: If you google wild plants, do NOT go by what is returned by AI - It does not return accurate results. For example, in this case it does not differentiate between the Portulaca subspecies, some of which are more edible than others. If you are going to just to by online resources, make sure they are reputable and science based. For native plants, I like the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower from the University of Texas.)

Location: Cocoa, James G. Bourbeau Memorial Park

Sources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=POPI3

https://www.wildflower.org/

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.

September 24, 2025

I am a young White Peacock butterfly

You can tell I'm young by my color

Right now my colors are deep and bright

As I age my color gets duller.

Location: Cocoa, James G. Bourbeau Memorial Park

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Anartia-jatrophae

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.

September 23, 2025

We are male and female Eastern Pondhawks

Blue for boy and green for girl

We both like to eat mosquitos

So our admiration is well earned!

Location: Cocoa, James G. Bourbeau Memorial Park

Sources: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/dragonflies

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.

September 22, 2025

I am known as a Red Saddlebags

Due to the pattern on my wings

I look similar to a Carolina Saddlebags

But bags are differently shaped, among other things. 

(Make sure you click the link below - it has a very clear side-by side comparison of Carolina vs. Red Saddlebags.)

Location: Cocoa, James G. Bourbeau Memorial Park

Sources: https://waltersanford.wordpress.com/2016/07/08/carolina-saddlebags-dragonflies-males/

https://waltersanford.wordpress.com/2016/07/08/carolina-saddlebags-dragonflies-males/

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.

September 21, 2025

I am a Florida Leaf-footed bug

Kissing Bugs look a little like me

But if you look close

I'm different than those -

My rostum is tucked under when I don't feed.

(Enlarge the second photo and look for the small area where you can see daylight [green] under the bug's head - that is where the rostrum is tucked under its body. If it were feeding, it would be pointed down.)

Location: Cocoa, James G. Bourbeau Memorial Park

Sources: https://acis.cals.arizona.edu/community-ipm/home-and-school-ipm-newsletters/ipm-newsletter-view/ipm-newsletters/2022/05/13/leaffooted-bugs-want-your-veggies-not-your-blood

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.

September 20, 2025

I am a Cloudless Sulphur butterfly

I like to drink nectar from long-tubed flowers

You can find me on bougainvilla and hibiscus

Looking for that nectar I like to devour.

Location: Cocoa, James G. Bourbeau Memorial Park

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Phoebis-sennae

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.

September 19, 2025

I am a female Belted Kingfisher

Kingfishers have been in Florida for a long time

In Alachua County, a fossil dated 2 million years old

Was found to be an ancestor of mine.

Location: Cocoa, James G. Bourbeau Memorial Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Belted_Kingfisher/overview

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.

September 18, 2025

I am an eastern Loggerhead Shrike

If I was from the west, my rump would be white

If I was from California my rump would be darker,

In San Clemente Island, my rump's dark as night.

Location: Cocoa, Leroy Wright Recreation Area

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Loggerhead_Shrike/id

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.

September 17, 2025

I am known as a Northern Racoon

Having breakfast with my Black Vulture friend

I am omnivorous, and so is he

Fresh or aged, we will carrion till the end.

Location: Cocoa, Leroy Wright Recreation Area

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

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.

September 16, 2025

We are a pair of Sandhill Cranes

Having breakfast with our friends, the Black Vultures

We get along well

But sometimes the smell

Makes us question their Epicurean culture.

Location: Cocoa, Leroy Wright Recreation Area

Sources: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/epicurean
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sandhill_Crane/overview
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Vulture

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.

September 15, 2025

I am a spider in the family Selenopidae

We are also known as "flatties"

I was hiding the crown of a pineapple

And wouldn't come out, which drove Dee batty!

(They are called "flatties" because they can fit in very tight places, including the base of the pineapple crown. It took me about 10 minutes after I picked the pineapple to coax her safely off the pineapple and onto another plant where she would be much happier than in my kitchen.)

Location: Fellsmere, FL, My House

Sources: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/fruits/pineapple

https://bugeric.blogspot.com/2013/03/spider-sunday-flatties.html

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.

September 14, 2025

I am a Northern Cloudywing butterfly

I can be found from Canada throughout the US

I can have one or two broods throughout the year

Depending on if I'm in the north or in Texas.

Location: Fellsmere, St.Sebastian River Preserver State Park

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Thorybes-pylades

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.

September 13, 2025

This is a Gray Wall Jumping Spider

She has 8 eyes, I am jealous of her

If I had 8 eyes -

To no one's surprise

They would all be for David, no other.

If you see my sweetheart today, wish him a happy birthday! 

Location: Lake Butler, FL

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/27204

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.

September 12, 2025

I am known as an Eastern Kingbird

I have a big head and a square white-tipped tail

I have a colored patch on the crown of my head

I only show it to predators, if you look for it, you'll fail.

Location: Lake Butler, FL

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Kingbird/photo-gallery/302123411

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.

September 11, 2025

I am a Southwestern Red-lined Pyrota

I'm a type of blister beetle

If I get caught in a swarm, baled with alfalfa, then ingested

It can kill horses or cows, even people.

Location: I-10 Rest Stop, Fabens, TX

Sources: https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_circulars/CR536/index.html

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.

September 10, 2025

I believe this is a Black Mulberry

Here is just one clue:

The crown is wider than the tree is tall

But I'd need close ups of the leaves to see what's true.

Location: I-10 Rest Stop, Fabens, TX

Sources: https://www.treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/morus/morus-nigra/

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.

September 9, 2025

We are known as House Sparrows

Alaska's the only place in America where we aren't found

We were introduced here in the 1800's

And now, where there's man-made structures, we abound.

Location: I-10 Rest Stop, Fabens, TX

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Sparrow/

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.

September 8, 2025

I am a Gila Woodpecker

You would know my sex with no leaf on my head

If I was female, the top of my head would be gray

If I was male with no leaf, you'd see red.

Location: I-10 Rest Stop, Tucson, AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Gila_Woodpecker/id

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.

September 7, 2025

I am known as a Canyon Towhee

I'm brown and white with a patch of rust under my tail

I hunt on the ground where I blend in with dirt

And breed in seasons when rain prevails*.

*In its range, which is the south-western US and Mexico,  summer and winter are the rainy seasons, so they breed twice each year.

Location: I-10 Rest Stop, Tucson, AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Canyon_Towhee/overview

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.

September 6, 2025

I am known as a Cactus Wren

I live in the desert and rarely drink water

Instead I get liquids from fruit and insects

My hobbies include being a nest marauder.

Location: I-10 Rest Stop, Tucson, AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cactus_Wren/overview

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.

September 5, 2025

I'm an American Widgeon

There is something not right with my eye

But I've lived at this park for a very long time

I can eat and swim, but probably not fly.

Location: Reid Park, Tucson, AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Wigeon/overview

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.

September 4, 2025

I am some type of a Desert shrub Spider

I'm in the Genus Diguetia and have 6 eyes

I keep my prey in a tent like web

And I stridulate to impress spider guys.

Location: Saguaro National Park, AZ

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/249285-Diguetia

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.

September 3, 2025

I am a Curve-billed Thrasher

My bill is great for catching long legged insects

I'm so well adapted to life in the desert

I'm almost ubiquitous throughout the southwest.

Location: Saguaro National Park, AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Curve-billed_Thrasher/overview

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.

September 2, 2025

I am a Variegated Fritillary

In Florida, the species you see is the same

I can be found from Argentina to most of the US

Drinking nectar from peppermint to dogbane.

Location: Saguaro National Park, AZ

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Euptoieta-claudia

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.

September 1, 2025

I am a Western Whiptail

I live in the desert scrub of Arizona

I'm a very fast moving ground dweller

But I've no wheels, I'll never make it to Daytona.

Location: Saguaro National Park, AZ

Sources: https://reptilesofaz.org/lizards-subpages/h-a-tigris/

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.