March 31, 2026

[part 1]

I am a mom Great Blue Heron

My husband's out "hunting for food"

He thinks he's Prince Charming

But my kids are starving

I hope he's not up to no good...

[part 2 tomorrow, but serious caution to parents of small kids, it might be too intense for little eyes. ]

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

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

March 18, 2022

I am a Great White Heron

Well, maybe I am, or maybe I'm not

Some scientists think I might be a Great Blue in disguise

But there are multiple schools of thought.

Based on genetics, behavior and looks...

An answer is still being sought.

(Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.)

Location: Anhinga Trail,  Everglades NP

Sources: https://www.sibleyguides.com/2007/11/great-white-heron-not-just-a-color-morph/

Photo © 2022 David Simpson and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 22, 2120

I am a Great Blue Heron

You can find me at sources of water

I hang around rivers and seashores and swamps

And in late spring, with my sons and my daughters. 

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 10, 2021

I am known as a Great Blue Heron,

On the ground, I can look somewhat gangly.

But in flight I am dramatic and beautiful

Like a  film by director Ang Lee. 

Location: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, Joe Michael Memorial Trail

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ang_Lee

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 3, 2021

I am a Great Blue Heron

I'm coming into my breeding look

Soon I'll stretch my neck and fluff up my feathers

And the girl herons will be totally hooked. 

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 18, 2020

I am a Great Blue Heron

My legs are long and my body's big and round

You might think that I'm big and fat, 

But I only weight 5 to 6 pounds.

Like all birds, Great Blue Herons keep their weight down by having hollow bones.

Location: Fellsmere Stick Marsh

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

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 28, 2020

Location: Taylor Creek/Nubbins Slough Conservation Area, Okeechobee

I am a Great Blue Heron
Trying to have lunch but not succeeding
I'm starting to think that catfish
Are better to catch than for eating.

These pictures were taken about 45 minutes apart. The poor bird really didn't seem to have made any progress in getting his lunch down between when we first saw him and when we left him. 

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Great Blue Heron

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 23, 2020

Location: Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area, Fellsmere

I am a Great Blue Heron
My beak is sharp and thick like a dagger
It's breeding season so I'm all fancied up
And strutting my stuff like Jagger.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Great Blue Heron

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 29, 2019

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Fellsmere

I am a Great Blue Heron,
You can find me in marshes and occasionally pastures.
Although I am really just sunning myself,
Sometimes I look like a flasher.

Special thanks to today's guest photographer (and my sweetheart) David Simpson.

Sources: Volusia Naturalist - Hot Birds

Photo and text © 2019 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 5, 2019

Location: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland

I am a Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias is my scientific name.
"Areda" means "heron" in Latin
"Erodiós" in Greek means the same.

Sources: Google Translate

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 3, 2019

Location: Merritt Island, Indian River

I am a Great Blue Heron
I eat fish and other small prey when I get the chance
My hobbies include combing my "powder down"
And as shown here, interpretive dance.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Great Blue Heron

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 17, 2019

Location: Viera, Viera Wetlands

We are baby Great Blue Herons
We still live with mom in the nest.
Although our feathers help us blend in well,
Right now, they still look like a mess!

Sources: Cornel Lab All About Birds - Great Blue Heron

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson