Dee At 8 A.M.: 2026

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

November 4, 2026

I am a Lesser Violetear

I’m mostly green with purple ear tufts

They aren’t really ears,

They don’t help me hear,

But they make the girls think I got the right stuff!

Location: Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/lesvio1/cur/introduction

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.

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

November 3, 2026

I am a male Talamanca Hummingbird

You know by my glittering purple forecrown

My mate’s a bit dull

She’s dark green on her skull

But that doesn’t stop us from getting down!

Location: Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/maghum2/cur/introduction

Monday, November 2, 2026

November 2, 2026

I am a Mangrove Hummingbird

I am a threatened species with a limited range

I only live in mangroves on the pacific coast
And my genus has recently changed.

Location: Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/manhum1/cur/introduction

Sunday, November 1, 2026

November 1, 2026

I am a Strawberry Poison Dart Frog

I use my tongue to catch lots of small prey

I'm beneficial to humans as insect control

And my color warns most predators away

Location: Hotel Ari Ambigua, Costa Rica

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

Saturday, October 31, 2026

October 31, 2026

This is a perfect skeletonized leaf

It's not as scary as human bones you might see

But we're not much into horror

And Heather thought this'd be cool for Halloween!

Special thanks to today’s guest photographer, Heather Stapleton.

Location: Private residence, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.naomiloves.com/blog/2017/11/19/how-to-make-leaf-skeletons-non-toxic

Friday, October 30, 2026

October 30, 2026

The Sweetgum tree attracts birds

It also provides shade on sunny days

The leaves and fruit eventually fall to the ground

And you have some compost once they decay.

Special thanks to today’s guest photographer, Heather Stapleton.

Location: Private residence, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.naomiloves.com/blog/2017/11/19/how-to-make-leaf-skeletons-non-toxic

Thursday, October 29, 2026

October 29, 2026

The holes in the leaf are perfect and round

The hole-maker's not here but they aren't at rest

They are using leaf bits

Combined with bee spit

And pollen to wallpaper their nest.

Special thanks to today’s guest photographer, Heather Stapleton.

Location: Private residence, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/know-your-native-pollinators-leafcutter-bees/

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

October 28, 2026

I am a female American Redstart

I'm not bright and flashy like a male

But from this view

You don't have to guess "Who?"

You know I'm me by my yellow-patched tail.

Special thanks to today’s guest photographer, Heather Stapleton.

Location: Private residence, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Redstart/photo-gallery/297029071

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

October 27, 2026

I am a Grasshopper Sparrow

So named for what I like to eat

I stay close to the ground

And whack them around

Then feed my babies legless grasshopper treats!

Special thanks to today’s guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Western St. Lucie County

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

Monday, October 26, 2026

October 26, 2026

We are three Chestnut-fronted Macaws
We briefly formed a rock band
The guy in the middle was our lead singer

But he is too pitchy so we had to disband.

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Coral Reef Park Palmetto Bay, FL

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/chfmac1/cur/introduction

Sunday, October 25, 2026

October 25, 2026

I am a female Broad-billed Hummingbird

I'm only in Arizona when I'm breeding

Right now I'm looking for a mate

Who'll swing like a pendulum when I see him.

Special thanks to today’s guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Miller Canyon, AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Broad-billed_Hummingbird

Saturday, October 24, 2026

October 24, 2026

I am a Black-chinned Hummingbird

I like to winter on the Gulf of Mexico Coast

I will come to hummingbird feeders

But it's nectar from flowers I love the most.

Location: Miller Canyon AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-chinned_Hummingbird/overview

Friday, October 23, 2026

October 23, 2026

I am known as a Say's Phoebe

Look at me mid-twerk

In this great shot

Showing all that I got

David's gonna put Dee out of work!

Special thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson

Location: Lake Cochise Wilcox AZ

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

Thursday, October 22, 2026

October 22, 2026

I am an Eastern Warbling Vireo

I look fairly plain, but my song is distinct

There are about 53 million of my type around
So I'm not in imminent danger of going extinct.

Thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Ottawa NWR, Ohio

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Warbling_Vireo/lifehistory#conservation

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

October 21, 2026

I am a Turkey Vulture

But I might not look like it to you

Though I am partially leucistic

I'm fine and carry on as normal vultures do.

Thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: T. M. Goodwin WMA

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

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

October 20, 2026

I am a Purlpe Gallinule

Check out my lovely long toes and legs

I can walk across floating vegetation

But I can also fly for a really long way.

(As described in the lined article, Purple Gallinules will travel as far as they need to to get food.)

Thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Torry Island Belle Glade, FL

Sources: http://allaboutbirds.org/guide/Purple_Gallinule/overview

Monday, October 19, 2026

Early Voting in FL Starts TODAY!!!

In Florida, early voting starts today

And goes through the 31st

Get out there and vote and hope for the best

For the environment, peace, and the birds.

Location: The US

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

Sunday, October 18, 2026

October 18, 2026

I am known as a Green Kingfisher

I have syndactyl toes

I use them like a shovel to push away dirt

When I use my beak to dig my burrow hole.

Thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: San Benito Wetlands, TX

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

Saturday, October 17, 2026

October 17, 2026

I am known as a Great Shearwater

I am pelagic and stay mostly at sea

I only breed on 4 islands in the Atlantic:

Nightingale, Inaccessible, Gough and Kidney.

Thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Off Cape Canaveral

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

Friday, October 16, 2026

October 16, 2026

We are Blue and Gold Macaws

We aren't yet threatened, but our numbers are declining

Humans are mean and steal our young for the pet trade

Our babies should be with us where the sun is shining

Thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Coral Reef Park, Miami

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

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

October 14, 2026

I am a female Hooded Merganser

My head is floofy but not as much as my mates

When I'm not breeding I can be seen in Florida
But when breeding, I'm more common near the Great Lakes.

I have been too busy to get out and photograph lately, so David has been combing through his archives for photos of his that I have not used. The funny thing is, he submitted an almost identical photo to this one, and I thought - wait a minute - that is MY photo. But it wasn't - I found this almost identical photo in my own archive that for some reason I never used. So this is actually one of my photos from Biggest Week in May of this year!

Location: Pearson Park Oregon OH

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hooded_Merganser/maps-range

October 15, 2026

I am a Botteri’s Sparrow

I live in Arazona in the sacaton grass

In the summertime I like to perch and sing

Otherwise I'm quiet on the ground and you'll walk right past.

Thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Portal AZ

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

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

October 13, 2026

I am known as a Barred Hawk

I've white bars on my tummy but the rest of me's black

After heavy rains, I hunt for Caecilians

A subterranean amphibian on which I snack.

Location: Bellavista, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/barhaw1/cur/introduction

https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/caecilian

Monday, October 12, 2026

October 12, 2026

I'm a male Plain-colored Seedeater

My name is all anyone needs -

I'm mostly varying shades of grey and

I hang out in the Paramo eating Espeletia seeds.

Location: Antisana Ecological Reserve, Quijos, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/plcsee1/cur/introduction

Sunday, October 11, 2026

October 11, 2026

I am known as a Buff-throated Saltator

I have a stout bill that resembles a finch

I mostly eat fruit and nectar

But will also eat wasps, ants or seeds in a pinch.

Location: Sendero Frutti Tour & Birdwatching, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/butsal1/cur/introduction

Saturday, October 10, 2026

October 10, 2026

We are a group of Blue-gray Tanagers

We generally travel in flocks or in pairs

We will join mixed species flocks to dine

We share food but do not share our air.

Location: Sachatamia Lodge, Ecuador

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

Friday, October 9, 2026

October 9, 2026

I am a Rufous-Throated Tanager

I have no sub-species, so I'm called "monotypic"

I'm a homebody, I'm resident and don't migrate

I'm pretty but somewhat soporific.

Location: Reserva Amagusa, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/ruttan1/cur/introduction?login&continue#distrib

Thursday, October 8, 2026

October 8, 2026

I am known as a male Saffron Finch

I'm bright yellow with orange on my crown

I am commonly kept in cages as a pet bird

But I prefer to get seeds and bugs on the ground.

Location: Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary, Ecuador

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

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

October 7, 2026

I am a Cinereous Conebill

My bill is pointy and shaped like a cone

I eat insects and seeds

From bush tops and leaves

And nectar from Flowerpiercer holes.

Location: Reserva Yanacocha, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/cincon1/cur/introduction

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

October 6, 2026

I am known as a Black Flowerpiercer

I have a hooked beak, but it's not for meat

I hide in dense shrubs to avoid hummingbirds

We both like nectar, but I don't choose to compete.

Location: Antisana Ecological Reserve, Quijos, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/blkflo1/cur/introduction

Monday, October 5, 2026

October 5, 2026

I am a Golden-Collared Honeycreeper

Ornothoogists used to think I was a Tanager

But genetic evidence proved them wrong

My behavior and bill don't fit Tanager parameters.

Location: Reserva Amagusa, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/gochon2/cur/introduction

Sunday, October 4, 2026

October 4, 2026

I am a Western Wood-Peewee

The eastern looks just like me

The main difference between us is the song we sing

And, of course, locality.

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Hereford AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Wood-Pewee/

Saturday, October 3, 2026

October 3, 2026

I am a Black-headed Grosbeak

Just sitting here eating some jelly

I am a rare* predator of Monarch Butterflies

But more often Sunflower seeds fill my belly.

* As described in the linked article, most critters and birds do not eat Monarch Butterflies because they are quite toxic. When Black-headed Grosbeaks eat monarchs, they usually wait about a week to pass the toxins before eating more.

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Portal AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-headed_Grosbeak/overview

Friday, October 2, 2026

October 2, 2026

I am a Female Lucifer Hummingbird

I am known as a "pollen thief"

I am too small to pick up pollen from Agave plants

So just take the nectar and leave.

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Whitetail Canyon, AZ

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

Thursday, October 1, 2026

October 1, 2026

I am a male Ring-necked Pheasant,

I find Florida warm and pleasant

But I'm here as game stock

I'll probably be shot

At least I'm not endangered, in the north I'm onmipresent

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Fort Drum, Florida

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ring-necked_Pheasant/lifehistory

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

September 30, 2026

I am a Black-banded Owl

I have four plumages throughout my life

As an adult I'm mostly black with while white banding

As an owlet, I was mostly white.

(I am back to work on my Ecuador book. My goal is to have it done for the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival where I will have a booth!)

Location: Cabañas San Isidro, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/bkbowl1/cur/introduction

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

September 29, 2026

This plant is Aechmea purpureorosea

It is native to southeast Brazil

It is in the Bromeliad family

And is an herbaceous perennial.

Location: McKee Botanical Gardens, Vero

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/774516-Aechmea-purpureorosea#articles-tab

Monday, September 28, 2026

September 28, 2026

I am a Florida Fast Woodlouse

You might mistake me for a roach, but look a bit closer

I play an important role in the ecosystem

Like Bach erasing his work, I'm a decomposer.

Location: My House, Fellsmere

Sources: https://gotfeeders.com/blogs/faq/the-fascinating-world-of-isopods-natures-tiny-decomposers

Sunday, September 27, 2026

September 27, 2026

We are a pair of Southern Two-striped Walkingsticks

We are widely seen with stripes of brown

Our stripes can be white in ONF*

And only at ABS** orange stripes are found.

* Ocala National Forest

**Archbold Biological Station

Location: My house, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/510

Saturday, September 26, 2026

September 26, 2026

I am a baby Brown (Cuban) Anole

I'm known as a trunk-ground ecomorph

That means that I stay mostly low to the ground
I'm invasive and widely abhorred.

Location: McKee Gardens, Vero Beach

Sources: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW486

Friday, September 25, 2026

September 25, 2026

I am a White Peacock Butterfly

When I was an egg, I was small and green

As a caterpillar I was black with white/silver dots

Then a chrysalis, and now I am me!

Location: McKee Gardens, Vero Beach

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

Thursday, September 24, 2026

September 24, 2026

I am an adult male Blue Dasher Dragonfly
My mates's abdomen is darker with yellow stripes

I only have yellow stripes on my thorax

But our faces are both mostly white.

(Just to clarify - these are 2 different views of the same male dragonfly. The Bugguide entry linked below has a great comparison between male, female and juvenile Blue Dashers with great photos. I highly recommend checking it out.)

Location: McKee Gardens, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/598

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

September 23, 2026

This plant is Tropical Milkweed

It looks a bit like a ballerina

Unfortunately, it harms Monarch Butterflies

Too bad there's no Monarch Chow made by Purina.

(Please review the linked graphic below, it gives an excellent concise explanation of how Tropical [versus Native] Milkweed harms Monarch butterflies.)

Location: McKee Gardens, Vero Beach

Sources: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsboroughco/files/2025/11/Monarch-Milkweed-graphic.jpg

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsboroughco/2025/11/05/plant-status-change-tropical-milkweed-is-now-listed-as-a-category-ii-invasive/