April 17, 2026

I am a Monarch caterpillar

My current age is between 36 hours and 12 days

I'll curl up for a day, hanging from a leaf

Then it will only take me 3 minutes to pupate!

(Be sure to check out the link below to learn about the lifecycle, very cool photos.)

Location: My house, Fellsmere

Sources: https://susanberkkoch.com/blog/monarchs-are-mythical-and-mysterious/

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.

February 27, 2026

I am a Monarch Butterfly

If I migrate, it's a very long journey
I will never return

But don't be concerned

My grandkids will complete my trip for me.

Location: Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West, Belle Glade

Sources: https://nhpbs.org/natureworks/monarch.htm

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.

May 9, 2024

I am a Monarch Danaus plexippus caterpillar

I'm basically a teenage Monarch Butterfly

Soon I will form a chrysalis

And with luck, I will grow and flutter on by

But sadly I might not make it -

Tune in tomorrow to find out why.

Location: Oyster Bar Marsh Conservation Area

Sources: https://wildlifemanagement.institute/brief/february-2024/wintering-monarch-survey-shows-large-decline-numbers

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.

December 11, 2023

I am known as a Monarch Butterfly

I weigh less than a paperclip

My lifespan's a few months

Unless I enter diapause,

Then I can live longer, as time permits.

Location: Senior League Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.fws.gov/species/monarch-danaus-plexippus

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson