May 2, 2024

We known as Burrowing Owls

We stash food in our burrows during mating season -

Anything from insects to weasels and squirrels

Baby birds get hungry - we don't need more reasons.

Thanks to special guest photographer, David Simpson, for the photo from Brian Piccolo Park.

Location: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Brian Piccolo State Park, Ft. Lauderdale

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Burrowing_Owl/lifehistory

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.

August 16, 2023

I am a Burrowing Owl

Underground's where I usually stay

But today I'm hanging out on a sea turtle

He's sweet but doesn't have much to say.

Very special thanks to today's guest photographer, Eric Holland.

Location: Cape Coral, private residence

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

Photo © 2023 Eric Holland and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 15, 2022

I am known as a Burrowing Owl

It's not common to see me sit in a tree

I usually stay on the ground, or close to it

To be near the arthropods that I eat. 

(Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.)

Location: Brian Piccolo Park, Fort Lauderdale

Sources: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arthropod

https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Athene_cunicularia/

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

July 24, 2017

Location: Port St. Lucie, Whispering Pines Park

I'm a Florida Burrowing Owl,
I live in a hole in the ground.
To feed my babies, I attract bugs to the outside of my home,
By spreading poop all around.

Sources: Cornell Lab - Burrowing Owls

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson