November 30, 2025

I am a caterpillar of a brush-footed butterfly

Posing here with some eggs

I'm in the same family as Monarchs

But right now I've no wings, just legs!

Location: Cosanga, Ecuador

Sources: https://www.butterflyidentification.com/butterflies-of-the-world/butterflies-in-ecuador

https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/taxonomy/Nymphalidae

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.

November 29, 2025

I am known as a Phaio acquiguttata

I belong to the Tiger Moth tribe

I've a tymbal organ on my metathorax

Which basically means I talk out of my behind!

Location: Cosanga, Ecuador

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctiinae

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tymbal

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.

November 28, 2025

I am a Mesothen nomia

I am also in the Tiger Moth family

You can see through my wings

I  have orange and black bling

And I have feathery black antennae.

Location: Cosanga, Ecuador

Sources: https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/it-s-not-just-antenna-size-but-scales-that-matter-for-lonely-male-moths

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.

November 27, 2025

I am a Pseudischnocampa striata

I'm in the Tiger Moth family

You can find me in north-western South America

Where I flit around quite happily.

(I notice that a bunch of the moths that I photographed in Ecuador are now Research Grade in iNaturalist, which means that other people agree with my ID. So for the next few days, let's take a look at some of them!)

Location: Cosanga, Ecuador

Sources: https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/870596-Pseudischnocampa-striata

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.

November 26, 2025

I am a Common Garter Snake

I can live in scrub as Dee just discovered

I can also live near marshes or ponds

And my pattern can be variably colored.

(I see Black Racers, Rattlesnakes, and Corn Snakes now and then, but I think this was the first Garter snake I've seen out in my scrub jay area!)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park (Plat scrub area)

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

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.

November 25, 2025

I am known as a Japanese Serow

I am a goat-like antelope

I live in deciduous mountain forests

Where I generally prefer to stand alone.

本日の特別ゲスト写真家、ジョイに心より感謝いたします!

Location: Lake Okutama, Japan

Sources: https://www.oneearth.org/species-of-the-week-japanese-serow/

Photo © 2025 Joy Handley 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.

November 24, 2025

I am a Twilight Darner dragonfly

You can find me in swamps and even pools

My wings are clear

But don't you fear

They're not like glass, they are strong flying tools.

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, the amazing Heather Stapleton!

Location: Vero Beach, private residence

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gynacantha_nervosa

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.

November 23, 2025

I am known as an Osprey

I'm sitting on this tree looking quite majestic

This blog isn't always about scientific facts - 

Sometimes it's just purely aesthetics.

Location: Jones Pier Conservation Area, Vero

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/osprey/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.

November 22, 2025

This plant is known as Beautyberry

It's not just pretty, it's good qualities are many

Many critters and birds love to partake of its fruit,

But to most humans - the flavor is "not any"

Location: Jones Pier Conservation Area, Vero

Sources: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/callicarpa-americana/

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.

November 21, 2025

I am known as a Northern Mockingbird

In the 1800's people would sometimes pay

$50 dollars to own me and hear me sing

I'd be worth over $1000 dollars today. *

*But it's not legal so don't even think about it.

Location: Jones Pier Conservation Area, Vero

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

November 20, 2025

I am known as a Great Egret
I'm sitting high up on a roof

It's usually a stork

You see doing this work

I don't do babies, I'm much too aloof.

Location: Jones Pier Conservation Area, Vero

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stork#Associations_with_fertility

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.

November 19, 2025

I am an immature Peter's Rock Agama

As a species in Florida, I'm not protected

I'm invasive and don't belong here

And native lizards are adversely affected. 

Location: Jones Pier Conservation Area, Vero

Sources: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/lizards/peters-rock-agama/

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.

November 18, 2025

I am a Pileated Woodpecked

Carpenter ants taste yummy to me

I use my beak

To  make holes in trees

If I didn't eat carpenter ants, they'd do the work for me.

Location: Jones Pier Conservation Area, Vero

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

November 17, 2025

I'm a Red-bellied Woodpecker

I know I look disheveled to you

But I'm tryin' to get this lizard

Into my gizzard

But at the moment, he doesn't want me to.

Location: Jones Pier Conservation Area, Vero

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/do-all-birds-have-gizzards/

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.

November 16, 2025

This is a Tillandsia Utriculata

Commonly called a giant airplant

Unfortunately, it is loved by Bromelliad Weevils

Who have taste for it is far beyond scant.

Location: Hallstrom House Conservation Area

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/frank/savebromeliads/floridas-bromeliads/Tillandsia-utriculata.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.

November 15, 2025

This is a Southern Needleleaf Airplant

It's a small, pointy Bromeliad

It looks like it's just a wad of pine needles

But there's so much more to it than that.

It's in the Pineapple family

It's not related to pines that's a fact.

Location: Hallstrom House Conservation Area

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/frank/savebromeliads/floridas-bromeliads/Tillandsia-setecea.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.

November 14, 2025

This plant's common name is Pigeonwings

It's scientific name is Clitoria mariana

Whoever assigned it the common name 

Probably also can't tell a croissant from a banana.

Location: Hallstrom House Conservation Area

Sources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=clma4

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.

November 13, 2025

This plant is known as Feay's Palafox

It is mostly white with dark pink tips

It only endemic to Florida

For many bees and wasps it is a favorite.

Location: Hallstrom House Conservation Area

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-palafoxia-feayi/

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.

November 12, 2025

I am a female Band-winged Dragonlet

This photo does not do me justice

In real life I'm gold with a dusting of green

I am beautiful, dare I say lustrous!

Location: Hallstrom House Conservation Area

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/3483

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.

November 11, 2025

I am an Oriental Turtle-Dove

I live in Tokyo

When the world gets rough

And you've had enough

Tokyo is a cool place to go.

Today's blog marks a first for Dee at 8 a.m.! A guest photographer from Japan. Today's photo was submitted by our old friend and new expatriate, Joy!

写真、本当にありがとうございます。これからも楽しみにしています。

Location: Tokyo, Japan

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

Photo © 2025 Joy Handley 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.

November 10, 2025

This is known as a Flame Lily

It's beauty is unbeaten

Alas, it is not native to Florida

And is highly poisonous if eaten.

Location: Private residence, Sebastian

Sources:https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2021/06/08/weekly-what-is-it-gloriosa-lily/

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.

November 9, 2025

I am known as an Io moth

I exist as an adult for a very short time

I emerge in late morning or early afternoon

Then look for a mate to help continue my bloodline.

Location: Dixie Crossroads, Titusville

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1065

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.

November 8, 2025

I am known as a Southern Broken-Dash

My hindwing and forewing do not match

My forewing fringe's rusty

My hindwing fringe's dusty

But my mate still thinks I'm a catch.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://alabama.butterflyatlas.usf.edu/species/details/153/southern-broken-dash

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.

November 7, 2025

I'm a male Eastern Amberwing dragonfly

So called because of the color of my wings

I'm small but I'm bold

And my wings are pure gold

I eat mosquitos and other small flying things.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State 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.

November 6, 2025

I am a Zebra Swallowtail

My wingspan can be 4 inches wide

I have long tails on my hind wings

Which makes me a quite large butterfly.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN215

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.

November 5, 2025

This is known as a Longleaf Pine

It can live for over 200 years

Although it is small, this tree has been growing underground

So it's older than it appears. 

(Check out the link below. Although this looks like a small sapling could be beween 1- 7 years as described in the link below.)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://longleafalliance.org/what-is-longleaf/the-tree/life-stages/

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.

November 4, 2025

I am a Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Enlarge the second photo for proof that's concrete:

Near the top of my head

There's a small spot of red

Where the black and the white feathers meet.

(Contrary to what it's name would imply, the "red cockade" is not something  big and show - it is a few tiny red feathers that are almost always hidden. The only reason that the spot shows up in this photo is because the day was very windy and his feathers were getting blown about.)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-cockaded_Woodpecker/photo-gallery/297701441

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.

November 3, 2025

This plant is Showy Rattlebox

Named for the rattling sound that it makes

When its seed pods are dried

The plant hasn't died

It's now an instrument for someone to shake.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/crotalaria-spectabilis/

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.

November 2, 2025

This plant is known as Hairy Indigo

In Florida it is non-native

Its name sounds like a flower child from the 60s

But perhaps I'm being a tad interpretative.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/weedsbyflowercolor/red/indigoferahirsuta/

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.

November 1, 2025

This plant is Flat-top Goldenrod

Though it's not actually a goldenrod species

It is common in pastures that are poorly maintained

And is a good pollen plant for our beesies.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.bluestemnatives.com/product-page/euthamia-caroliniana-coastal-plain-grass-leaved-goldenrod

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.