February 28, 2026

I am an American Oyster catcher

You can only find me in intertidal places

Such as beaches or on barrier islands

Hunting for mollusks and sometimes crustaceans.

Location: Pelican Island

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

February 27, 2026

I am a Monarch Butterfly

If I migrate, it's a very long journey
I will never return

But don't be concerned

My grandkids will complete my trip for me.

Location: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West, Belle Glade

Sources: https://nhpbs.org/natureworks/monarch.htm

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.

February 26, 2026

I am known as a Common Myna

I'm not feeling photogenic today

But you can still ID me by my white tail patches

And orange-yellow legs as I walk away

Location: Belle Glade, Fl

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

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.

February 25, 2026

I am a male Red-winged Blackbird (top)

And below is my beautiful mate

She might not be as bright colored as me

But she doesn't mind being one of fifteen.

(As described in the linked article, "The Red-winged Blackbird is a highly polygynous species, meaning males have many female mates – up to 15 in some cases.")

Location: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West, Belle Glade

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

February 24, 2026

I am a female Yellow-headed Blackbird

If I was male, I would have yellow on my head and chest

I can be found in grasslands and crop fields

Munching on spiders, flies, and other insects.

(This was a life bird for me!)

Location: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West, Belle Glade

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-headed_Blackbird/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.

February 23, 2026

I am a female Common Yellowthroat

Yellow-throated Warbler has a similar name

But their distribution is smaller

And they're a bit taller

In fact, throat color is the only thing that's the same.

Location: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West, Belle Glade

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

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-throated_Warbler/id

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.

February 22, 2026

I am an adult male Peter's Rock Agama
I usually move pretty fast

But today it is cold, 

I'm feeling old

Sittin' the sun trying warm up my back.

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.

February 21, 2026

We are Florida Manatees

Either a mom and dad or baby and marm

We posed nice for pictures because it was cold

But the water near the dam was warm.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/aquatic/florida-manatee/

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.

February 20, 2026

We are male Northern Pintail ducks

Our tails are pointy and our heads are brown.

When migrating to breed, 

We can fly up to speeds 

Of 48 mph - we REALLY want to get down. 

Location: Black Point Wildlife Drive, MINWR

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

February 19, 2026

This is a torrid tale of some Blue-winged Teals

Sometimes a pond can be a watery Payton Place

Shown here is a male kissing a female while

Their mates glower at the awkwardness this creates.

(This was a strange little vignette - there was what appeared to be two perfectly content pairs of teal, but the male just sauntered away from his mate (on the far right) and started kissing the female from the other pair.)

Location: Black Point Wildlife Drive, MINWR

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue-winged_Teal/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.

February 18, 2026

I am a Stilt Sandpiper,

I can normally be IDd by a prominent eyeline

Mine eyeline is a bit shorter than most

But my thick down-curved beak as ID's also fine.

Location: Black Point Wildlife Drive, MINWR

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

February 17, 2026

I am a Greater Yellowlegs

I nest in mosquito-filled bogs

We are not very well studied because of that - 

I think Ornithologists might be anti-mosquito snobs.

Location: Black Point Wildlife Drive, MINWR

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

February 16, 2026

We are known as American Avocets

We occasionally can be brood parasites

Sometimes we leave eggs in other birds nests

And just hope that they bring them up right.

Location: Black Point Wildlife Drive, MINWR

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

February 15, 2026

This might be Cartilage Lichen

Comparing photos and location it's likely

But you would have to understand the document linked below

That explains lichen identifying keys.

Location: Black Point Wildlife Drive, MINWR

Sources: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/67/2022/04/2022-FL_lichen_Keys_Whole-Document.pdf

https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/74074-lichen-identification-resources

https://www.waysofenlichenment.net/

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.

February 14, 2026

I am known as a Reddish Egret

And I'm happy it's Valentine's Day

I'm all dressed up in my breeding colors

I don't normally put on this display.

Location: Black Point Wildlife Drive, MINWR

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

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.

February 13, 2026

I am known as a Green Heron

I feed both at night and during the day

I'm not too picky about where I eat - 

Swamps, harbors, mudflats even floodplains.

Location: Black Point Wildlife Drive, MINWR

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/grnher/cur/habitat

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.

February 12, 2026

I am known as a Graceful Twig Ant

I'm non-native and sometimes will sting

But only if I'm a worker ant - 

And if you harass me or some other mean thing.

Location: Turkey Creek Sanctuary, Palm Bay

Sources: https://bioone.org/journals/florida-entomologist/volume-93/issue-4/024.093.0410/Worldwide-Spread-of-the-Graceful-Twig-Ant-Pseudomyrmex-Gracilis-Hymenoptera/10.1653/024.093.0410.full

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.

February 11, 2026

This is known as a Pine Witches' Broom

Phytoplasma pini has affected this pine

Phytoplasmas are similar to bacterial cells

But don't have a cell walls or distinct nuclei

Location: Turkey Creek Sanctuary, Palm Bay

Sources: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/insects-pests-and-problems/diseases/viruses

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10887288/

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.

February 10, 2026

I am known as a Common Raccoon

I'm seen throughout the American continent

I was introduced in Asia and Europe

Where I am widely distributed and predominant.

Location: Turkey Creek Sanctuary, Palm Bay

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

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.

February 9, 2026

This plant is Resurrection Fern

In the wild, it can grow on trees, logs or rocks

At home you can grow it in hanging baskets

Or on driftwood or cork on a box.

Location: Turkey Creek Sanctuary, Palm Bay

Sources: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pleopeltis-polypodioides/

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.

February 8, 2026

I am a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

I drill two different types of holes:

My rectangular holes are shallow, so the sap flows out

Round holes are deeper - I suck sap out of those.

Location: Turkey Creek Sanctuary, Palm Bay

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-bellied_Sapsucker/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.

February 7, 2026

I am a Broad-tipped Conehead Katydid

My fastigia ("cone") is wider than it is long

Based on season and sex I can be brown or green

I rub my wings together to make a calling song.

Location: Walgreens, Roseland/Rte 1

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1115

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.

February 6, 2026

[In memory of Catherine O'Hara]

We are a pair of Sandhill Cranes

Wandering about, we've nothing better to do

I feel like we are forgetting something...

Oops! I'm missing an egg or two!

(No eggs were harmed in the making of this blog entry... she got back to her nest before a predator did. Although I'm pretty sure I heard the mom yelling "KEVIN". )

Location: Micco Scrub

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

February 5, 2026

I am known as a Pine Warbler

I body changes based upon what I eat

If I eat seeds, my gizzard's large and I digest slower

If I eat fruit, my intestines are long and I digest quickly.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

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

Full details in research paper on JSTOR: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/316689

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.

February 4, 2026

I am a Red-headed Woodpecker

Looking out of my nest hole
I'll nest in trees, 

Fence posts and buildings,

And even utility poles.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

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

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.

February 3, 2026

I am an American Kestrel

My population is in decline

After decades of research, the reasons aren't clear

For details, see the Peregrine Fund online.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: The Peregrine Fund: https://peregrinefund.org/american-kestrel-project

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.

February 2, 2026

I am a Phaon Crescent

Named for an ugly, old boatman in Greek mythology
Aphrodite turned the boatman young and beautiful

With her knowledge of cosmetology.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

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

https://www.flawildflowers.org/know-your-native-pollinators-phaon-crescent/

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.

February 1, 2026

I am an American Robin

One of the few Dee has seen this year

They are late in migrating to Florida

The food must be better up north than here!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://swibirds.org/blog/where-have-the-robins-gone

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.