July 25, 2025

I am female Green-crowned Brilliant hummingbird

Males don't have a white spotted tummy.

I've been known to use spider webs to glue lichen to my nest

When preparing to become a mummy. 

Location: Sendero Frutti Tour & Birdwatching, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/grcbri1/cur/breeding

Photo and text © 2025 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.

July 24, 2025

I am known as a Sparkling Violetear

From the front you can see why they call me "sparkling"

From the side you can see where

I got the name "violetear"

Among the blue feathers is a small, violet marking.

Location: Antisana Ecological Reserve, Quijos, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/spvear1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 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.

July 23, 2025

I'm a hummingbird known as Brown Violetear

I have bright purple auriculars

In this photo it looks like just a brown patch

But when I raise them, you can see the particulars.

Location: Tandayapa, Ecuador

Sources: https://avianreport.com/feather-areas-bird/

Photo and text © 2025 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.

July 22, 2025

I am a male Peruvian Racket-tail

I have a long tail that ends in rackets, hence the name

My wife has a short tail and a white spotted breast

But our fluffy orange bloomers are the same.

Location: La Brisa hummingbird feeders, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/boorat2/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 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.

July 21, 2025

I am a Golden-breasted Puffleg

My neck and breast are shimmering gold

When I find a place where I want to perch

I'll raise my wings and briefly strike a pose.

Location: Reserva Yanacocha, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/gobpuf1/cur/behavior

Photo and text © 2025 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.

July 20, 2025

I am a Sapphire-Vented Puffleg

I'm emerald green with a sparkly blue face

My tail is dark and deeply forked

And I'm defined by my poofy white legs.

Location: Reserva Yanacocha, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/savpuf1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 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.

July 19, 2025

I am known as a Brown Inca

I'm mostly brown with a small white patch on my shoulder

Sometimes my throat is bright purple

When the light is right or I want to look bolder.

Location: Sachatamia Lodge, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/broinc2/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 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.