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

Photo and text © 2026 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.

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

Photo and text © 2026 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.

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

Photo and text © 2026 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.

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

Photo and text © 2026 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.

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

Photo and text © 2026 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.

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

Photo and text © 2026 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.

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

Photo and text © 2026 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.

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

Photo and text © 2026 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.

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

Photo and text © 2026 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.

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

Photo and text © 2026 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.

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

Photo and text © 2026 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.

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/

Photo © 2026 David Simpson and text © 2026 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.

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

Photo © 2026 David Simpson and text © 2026 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.

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

Photo © 2026 David Simpson and text © 2026 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.

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

Photo © 2026 David Simpson and text © 2026 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 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

Photo and text © 2026 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, 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

Photo and text © 2026 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, 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

Photo and text © 2026 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, 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

Photo and text © 2026 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, 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

Photo and text © 2026 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, 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/

Photo and text © 2026 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, 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

Photo and text © 2026 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, 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/

Photo and text © 2026 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, 2026

This is a Yellow Shrimp plant

Also called "Lollipop'

It's easy to propagate from cuttings

But not in a copy shop.

Location: McKee Gardens, Vero Beach

Sources: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP452/pdf

Photo and text © 2026 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, 2026

I am known as a Brown Basilisk

In Florida, I was introduced by pet owners

You might see me walking on water sometimes

I don't need a canoe, unlike rowers.

Location: McKee Gardens, Vero Beach

Sources: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW497

Photo and text © 2026 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, 2026

I am a type of Wall Spider

At the moment I'm on a toilet seat

But I was saved from a fate much worse than death - 

Being sat on by a big-butted Dee.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/190874

Photo and text © 2026 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, 2026

I am a species of Wolf Spider

I'm female and a mom, that much is certain

I carry my babies on my back

A mom's love is never a burden. 

(I found this spider on the floor of Dollar General. The clerk thought I was nuts for picking it up and taking it outside and was totally freaked out by it. I didn't even realize till I was photographing her that she had babies. I felt bad that we probably lost some during the move but it was clear that someone else was going to stomp on her if didn't  take her outside.)

Location: (One of the many) Dollar General, Sebastian

Sources: https://www.britannica.com/animal/wolf-spider

Photo and text © 2026 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, 2026

I am a Red-headed Woodpecker 

Looking all artsy and dramatic

When you don't have the talent

To shoot color-balanced

You edit the photo, it's not art, it's pragmatic.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.iphotography.com/blog/mastering-white-balance-your-key-to-vibrant-photo-colours/

Photo and text © 2026 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, 2026

We are known as Barn Swallows

Shown  here posing for our class pictures

Unfortunately there is always someone

Who forgets to dress up, it figures!

Location: Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

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

Photo and text © 2026 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, 2026

We are two adult female Wild Turkeys

Shown here with a few of our kids

After breading season

We group up for a reason:

As soon as our eggs hatch, our marriages hit the skids.*

*Adult males take off as soon as the eggs hatch. The females and babies form flocks as there is safety in numbers.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

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

Photo and text © 2026 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, 2026

I am a breeding female Peter's Rock Agama

In the process of shedding my skin

I'm shown here with 2 good lookin' adult males

My kids will probably look like one of them!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

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

Photo and text © 2026 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, 2026

This flower is called Pitted Stripeseed

Also known as Morning Buttercup

It's the only plant in the Turneraceae family that's native to Florida

And butterflies and bees love it when it pops up.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-piriqueta-cistoides/

Photo and text © 2026 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, 2026

This is a tiny plant called Pineweed

It's a very small St. John's Wort

Its flowers only open in the sun

And it'd be hard to find enough to knit a shirt.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://hawthornhillwildflowers.blogspot.com/2011/06/pineweed-hypericum-gentianoides.html

Photo and text © 2026 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, 2026

I am a Scabrous Tiger Beetle

I look like an armor-plated ant

I am predaceous and eat other insects

You can find me in scrub near wet lowlands.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/33715

Photo and text © 2026 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, 2026

This plant is known as Giant Orchid

You can find it in south-eastern US and Cuba

In prairies, flatwoods and oak scrub

But definatly not in Tsukuba. 

 

Thanks to today's very special guest photographer, Jill Cozza!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://georgiabiodiversity.org/portal/profile?group=all&es_id=18632

Photo  © 2026 Jill Cozza and text © 2026 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, 2026

I am a type of a Crab Spider

I have a short, wide, flat body

My front legs are longer than my back legs

Which helps me catch prey, but doesn't help with Karate.

Thanks to today's very special guest photographer, Jill Cozza!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Thomisidae/

Photo © 2026 Jill Cozza and text © 2026 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, 2026

Thanks to today's very special guest photographer, Jill Cozza!

I am known as a Green Lynx spider

I am harmless to humans but eat lots of insects

In fact I have potential to be used in pest management

Where could be paid in the bugs I ingest!

(However, as noted in the linked article, Green Lynx also eat beneficial pollinators such as bees, as well as some wasps that also eat crop pests. But, to quote the article, "The use of lynx spiders in the control of crop pests will depend in a large part on when, where, on what crops, and for the control of what pests they are to be used. Their use in Florida for the control of pests of soybeans and peanuts may be feasible.")

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN521

Photo  © 2026 Jill Cozza and text © 2026 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, 2026

I am known as a Pseudoscorpion

You might think I'm a Scorpion, but you'd be wrong

I'm more like a spider, you can see my pedipalps

And there's no stinging tail, I could wear a thong.

Thanks to today's very special guest photographer, Jill Cozza!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1944&context=extension_curall

Photo  © 2026 Jill Cozza and text © 2026 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, 2026

This plan is Tall Hydrolea

Also known as Skyflower

It grows quite well in a marsh or a ditch

And looking pretty is it's superpower!

Thanks to today's very special guest photographer, Jill Cozza!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AG397

Photo © 2026 Jill Cozza and text © 2026 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, 2026

This is a plant called Pine Lily

It is from a large and complex plant family

The family includes Asparagus and Sarsaparilla
And Aloe, which can be used medicinally. 

Thanks to today's very special guest photographer, Jill Cozza!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources:  https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=lica4

Photo © 2026 Jill Cozza and text © 2026 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, 2026

I am a Great Southern White Butterfly

When I was young I ate cabbage and kale

Technically they are cultivars of the same species

But cabbage is tasty and kale's a big FAIL. 

(Ok, this might be an opinion here. The caterpillars of the Great Southern White eat both cabbage and kale, but I assume Great Southern White caterpillars do not have taste buds as kale is super gross, and cabbage adds a nice crunch to burritos and casseroles.)

Location: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Blackpoint Drive

Sources: https://a-z-animals.com/blog/kale-vs-cabbage-comparing-two-great-brassicas/

https://plowingthroughlife.com/hamburger-cabbage-casserole/

Photo and text © 2026 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, 2026

I am an adult male Florida Scrub Jay

You know I'm male because I have a wife

You know she's my wife cause she makes a hiccup call,

And stays with me, and gave our offspring life.

(This is one of my favorite Florida Scrub Jays. He was one of the first ones that I helped to train for banding back in 2020.)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.verobeachmagazine.com/features/one-jay-at-a-time/

Photo and text © 2026 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, 2026

This plant is known as Torpedo Grass

It was introduced to the US prior to 1876

It seeds were brought here to plant forage crops

And might also have been used as ballast on ships.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/graminoid/panrep/all.html

Photo and text © 2026 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, 2026

This plant is Chapman's Blazing Start

It blooms in summer and fall 

It's at its peak September through October

And has no tolerance for salt at all. 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.fnps.org/plant/liatris-chapmanii#gsc.tab=0

Photo and text © 2026 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.