Dee At 8 A.M.: 2026

Saturday, April 11, 2026

April 11, 2026

This plant is Bulltongue Arrowhead

It grows well in swamps and marshes

It attracts bees and songbirds and other pollinators

But if want a close look, you should bring your galoshes.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sagittaria-lancifolia/

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.

Friday, April 10, 2026

April 10, 2026

I am an Orange Bluet damselfly

Alas, I am not long for this world

I accidentally flew into a spiderweb

I can't get out, no matter how hard I twirl!

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://dnr.illinois.gov/education/wildaboutpages/wildaboutinvertebrates/wildaboutdamselflies/family-coenagrionidae/wadforangebluet.html

Thursday, April 9, 2026

April 9, 2026

I am known as a Fragile Forktail Damselfly

I like to hang around on pondweeds or lilypads

My most defining feature is the

Horizontal exclamation marks on my thorax.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://dnr.illinois.gov/education/wildaboutpages/wildaboutinvertebrates/wildaboutdamselflies/family-coenagrionidae/wadffragileforktail.html

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

April 8, 2026

I am a Florida Red-bellied Cooter
I had an alligator for a nanny

My mom laid her eggs in the alligator's nest

And the gator protected me, it's all quite uncanny!

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

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

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

April 7, 2026

I am known as a Carolina Wren

I'm small, but sing LOUD to prove my mettle

My songs aren't particularly creative though,

All I sing about is my love of tea kettles!

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

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

Monday, April 6, 2026

April 6, 2026

I am known as a Great Egret

As an adult or chick, I show elegance and grace

I swear I could be a fashion model

As long as you don't look me direct in the face.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

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

Sunday, April 5, 2026

April 5, 2026

I am known as a Glossy Ibis

I sometimes eat crops such as sorghum and rice

If the ground is wet, I'll stick my bill in it

And hope to find an earthworm, snail or snake that tastes nice!

(The linked article lists many more of the critters that the Glossy Ibis will consume. They sure aren't fussy!)

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Glossy_Ibis/lifehistory

Saturday, April 4, 2026

April 4, 2026

I am known as a Sandhill Crane

Though at the moment I don't look my best

I'm having a personal issue right now

Most likely mites, or maybe I'm possessed!

(If you happen to run into my bestie Heather today, make sure you wish her the happiest of birthdays!)

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://acarina.utmn.ru/upload/iblock/ecc/2y6iyfhazgc04q53ttltolarfnx473u7/3_S.-V.-Mironov.pdf

Friday, April 3, 2026

April 3, 2026

This plant is known as Spatterdock

It has a brilliant yellow display

It reminds me of the eye of Sauron

But in a bright and happy way.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauron#Eye_of_Sauron

Thursday, April 2, 2026

April 2, 2026

I am a very small baby Alligator

That flower above my head is maybe 4 inches across

I'm vulnerable to predators like racoons and birds

My mom should be watching me, but she is not!

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/facts/

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

April 1, 2026

I am an American Alligator

Birds are not always something I eat

My diet tends to consist

Of lots of fish,

But if a bird is slow and within my reach...

(After much discussion of color, size, etc, David and I determined that this was a Great Blue Heron in this Alligator's mouth. But not necessarily the mate from the previous post.)

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/facts

https://myfwc.com/media/1743/alligator-rice-a.pdf

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

March 31, 2026

[part 1]

I am a mom Great Blue Heron

My husband's out "hunting for food"

He thinks he's Prince Charming

But my kids are starving

I hope he's not up to no good...

[part 2 tomorrow, but serious caution to parents of small kids, it might be too intense for little eyes. ]

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

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

Monday, March 30, 2026

March 30, 2026

This is known as Iris savannarum

Commonly known as a Prairie Iris

It grows well on the edges of wetlands

As it prefers moisture to dryness.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL

Sources: https://www.fnps.org/plant/iris-savannarum#gsc.tab=0

Sunday, March 29, 2026

March 29, 2026

This is a Florida Violet

It has a whitish fruit that produces many seeds

Its flowers can be made in to jelly

And it's leaves are high in vitamins A and C

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL

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

Saturday, March 28, 2026

March 28, 2026

This plant is known as Lyreleaf Sage

It helps bees to pollinate it -

When bees land on the lower lip of the plant

They get bathed in pollen when the stamens tip.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL

Sources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=saly2

Friday, March 27, 2026

March 27, 2026

This plant is Bay Lobelia

It grows best when the habitat's moist,

It is a perennial endemic

And it's purple flowers do not disappoint.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-lobelia-feayana/

Thursday, March 26, 2026

March 26, 2026

We are immature Roseate Spoonbills

You can tell cause we look more fluffy

We also have orange beaks

And snuggle in the nest like best buddies.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

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

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

March 25, 2026

We are known as Wood Storks

Like the Snowy Egret, our shoes and sox don't match

Our feet are pink,

But our mates think

That we are quite an attractive catch.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

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

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

March 24, 2026

We are a Roseate Spoonbill and a Woodstork

Individually, we both seem like large birds

But when seen together the difference is striking

The Woodstork is larger by about two-thirds

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

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

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wood_Stork/overview

Monday, March 23, 2026

March 23, 2026

I am a male Common Gallinule

I'm trying to be discrete

But it's breeding time

We don't need wine

Well, that was fast, breeding's complete.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL

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

Sunday, March 22, 2026

March 22, 2026

I am a Red-winged Blackbird

Look at how pretty my shoulder is

Wait! You don't look impressed enough!

NOW TAKE A LOOK AT THIS!!!

(This is a true story. I am positive this is what this Red-winged Blackbird was saying to me. I've never had one show me both shoulders at the same time before!)

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Chrismas FL

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-winged_Blackbird/id

Friday, March 20, 2026

March 20, 2026

I am known as a Swallow-tailed Kite

I usually look more dignified than this

But some stupid bug is dive bombing me

And to be honest, I'm getting quite ticked!

(I couldn't get a photo of whatever it was that was bothering the poor bird, but it was driving him nuts. I really hope it doesn't stop him from coming back to our yard!)

Location: My House, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swallow-tailed_Kite/id

Thursday, March 19, 2026

March 19, 2026

The red plant here is Carolina Water-Hyssop

It's a wildflower in the Plantian family
If you crush its leaves they smell like lemon

This plant is considered butterfly friendly.

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee

Sources: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/bacopa-caroliniana/

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

March 18, 2026

I am an Eastern Meadowlark

But I'm not related to Larks at all

I'm more closely related to Blackbirds

And Cowbirds and Orioles.

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee

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

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

March 17, 2026

I am a Southern Live Oak

But I don't know how much longer I'll be

It's not that I try to hide the truth

Yet people say they can see through me!

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee

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

Monday, March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

I am a Red-banded Hairstreak

I eat nectar from milkweed and dogbane

As a caterpillar

I ate leaf litter

I'm an adult now, my taste sure has changed!

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee

Sources: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/wildflowers/butterfly/red-banded-hairstreak/

Sunday, March 15, 2026

March 15, 2026

I am a Brown-winged Striped Sweat Bee

Look on the flower, I'm the metallic green spot

I'm abundant, but need sandy soil for nesting

If you don't see me, that could be why not.

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee,

Sources: https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.882084/Agapostemon_splendens

Saturday, March 14, 2026

March 14, 2026

I am a female Halloween Pennant

I'm more yellow than my mate

We only get down in the morning -

We really enjoy breakfast dates.

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee,

Sources: https://dnr.illinois.gov/education/wildaboutpages/wildaboutinvertebrates/wildaboutdragonflies/family-libellulidae/wadfhalloweenpennant.html

Friday, March 13, 2026

March 13, 2026

I am a juvenile Bar-winged Skimmer dragonfly

You might confuse me with a Great Blue Skimmer

But have a dark head and dark abdomen stripe

And I live in shallow water - I'm not much of a swimmer.

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee,

Sources: http://dragonfliesnva.com/My%20Documents/KevinPDF/pdf/identify/species/BarwingedSkimmer-FINAL.pdf

Thursday, March 12, 2026

March 12, 2026

I am a Western Cattle Egret

I like to find a nice grassy patch

I follow plows

And hang out with cows

And sometimes work as a cattle hat.

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee,

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Cattle-Egret/overview

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

March 11, 2026

I am a Domestic Cattle

Specifically, I'm composite known as A-Beef

I'm specifically bred to deal with Florida weather,

And, unfortunately, to be good to eat.

Location: Adams Ranch, Fort Pierce

Sources: https://www.adamsranch.com/cattle-breeds/composite-cattle/

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

March 10, 2026

This is known as a Strangler Fig

It started out as an epiphyte that put down roots
On the one hand, it strangles the tree underneath

But birds and butterflies sure love its fruits.

Location: Adams Ranch, Fort Pierce

Sources: https://www.fnps.org/plant/ficus-aurea#gsc.tab=0

Monday, March 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

This is known as an Artesian Well.

The water you see flowing is an underground treasure

The pipe in the background doesn't require a pump

The water comes up because it's under pressure.

(Watch the video linked below, it explains Artesian Wells quite clearly and cleverly!)

Location: Adams Ranch, Fort Pierce

Sources: https://youtu.be/agSg7EXRviI?si=DDNPgjnvs2s2n4z2

Sunday, March 8, 2026

March 8, 2026

I am known as an Osprey

Sitting here looking dramatic
You probably think that I'm posing

But I'm practicing my moves acrobatic.

Location: Pelican Island

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

Saturday, March 7, 2026

March 7, 2026

I am a Black-bellied Plover

I'm the only American plover that has a hind toe

My hind toe quite tiny, you have to look hard

It's vestigial and superfluous as toes go.

Location: Pelican Island

Sources: https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/onlinelearningcenter/species/black_bellied_plover

Friday, March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

We are a group of Double-crested Cormorants

Hanging out with our White Pelican buddies

We live near water so you'd think we'd be clean

But our poop is known to kill our own nest trees!

Location: Pelican Island

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Double-crested_Cormorant/overview

Thursday, March 5, 2026

March 5, 2026

We are mostly American White Pelicans

Well, there are a few intruders in our midst

But we are fine with the Brown Pelicans up in the tree

And the gull? Sure, we can all co-exist.

(Look close, there is a gull in there too!)

Location: Pelican Island

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