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

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.

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

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.

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/

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.