October 6, 2025

I am known as a Barred Owl

I'm a great hunter - I don't mean to boast to you

I eat many reptiles and rodents

Dee's glad, but wishes I'd eat a roach or two.

Location: Fellsmere, FL, my house

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

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.

May 14, 2025

We are a pair of baby Barred Owls

We can climb trees using our talons and bill

We flap our wings, and walk up tree trunks

Till we master our adult flying skills.

Location: Central Florida

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

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2085073078674754

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.

May 1, 2024

I am known as a Barred Owl

Just sittin' in a tree with my sibling and mom

I can climb trees

By grabbing bark with my beak

While my mom just looks on with aplomb.

Location: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

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

Photo and text © 2024 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 14, 2022

I am known as a Barred Owl

Like other "true" owls, I'm in the family Strigidae 

A difference between us is the shape of our face -

Barn owls are in the Tytonidae family.

Strigidaes have got a round facial disk

Tytonidaes' are shaped like a heart

One thing we have in common is:

You smell small critters whenever we fart.

(Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.)

Location: Mahogany Hammock, Everglades NP

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

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

February 25, 2020

Location: Brevard Zoo, captive

I'm known as a Barred Owl
My feathers are mottled and my eyes are black.
I spend my days sleeping and at night I work -
Unlike a lumberjack.

Sources: Cornel Lab All About Birds - Barred Owl

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 3, 2019

Location: Polk County, Circle B Bar Reserve

I am known as Barred Owl
There is a threat that cannot be ignored.
There is a predator who will eat me and my young -
You know him as the Great Horned.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds- Barred Owl

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 26, 2017

Location: Lake Apopka WMA

I'm known as a Barred Owl
I'm well disguised when I sleep in the day.
My main predator is the Great Horned Owl,
If one is in my neighborhood, I'll fly away!

You may have heard that I have a distinct call,
That's not just a rumor ,it is quite true,
If you walk by me I'll demand to know
Just one thing: "Who cooks for you?"

Sources: Cornell Labs - Barred Owl

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson