May 24, 2026

I am a Marl Pennant Dragonfly

I live near salt marshes or a beach

I occasionally hunt in swarms with my friends

And often hunt from perches on reeds.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://virginianaturalhistorysociety.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2022/12/B28-full-Marl-pennant-1.pdf

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 5, 2026

I am a female Halloween Pennant

You can tell cause my wings are yellow

My mate is a brighter orange and stays

Attached when I lay eggs, clingy fellow!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween_pennant
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween_pennant#/media/File:Celithemis_eponina-mating.jpg

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 14, 2026

I am a female Halloween Pennant

I'm more yellow than my mate

We only get down in the morning - 

We really enjoy breakfast dates.

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee,

Sources: https://dnr.illinois.gov/education/wildaboutpages/wildaboutinvertebrates/wildaboutdragonflies/family-libellulidae/wadfhalloweenpennant.html

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 13, 2026

I am a juvenile Bar-winged Skimmer dragonfly

You might confuse me with a Great Blue Skimmer

But have a dark head and dark abdomen stripe

And I live in shallow water - I'm not much of a swimmer.

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee,

Sources: http://dragonfliesnva.com/My%20Documents/KevinPDF/pdf/identify/species/BarwingedSkimmer-FINAL.pdf

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.

November 24, 2025

I am a Twilight Darner dragonfly

You can find me in swamps and even pools

My wings are clear

But don't you fear

They're not like glass, they are strong flying tools.

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, the amazing Heather Stapleton!

Location: Vero Beach, private residence

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gynacantha_nervosa

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.

November 12, 2025

I am a female Band-winged Dragonlet

This photo does not do me justice

In real life I'm gold with a dusting of green

I am beautiful, dare I say lustrous!

Location: Hallstrom House Conservation Area

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/3483

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.

November 7, 2025

I'm a male Eastern Amberwing dragonfly

So called because of the color of my wings

I'm small but I'm bold

And my wings are pure gold

I eat mosquitos and other small flying things.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/dragonflies

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.

October 21, 2025

I am an Ornate Pennant Dragonfly

I have a colored patch on my hindwings

I also have large, dark red eyes

The better to see you, sweet thing!

Location: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

Sources: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/odes/a/accounts.php?id=91

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.

September 24, 2025

I am a young White Peacock butterfly

You can tell I'm young by my color

Right now my colors are deep and bright

As I age my color gets duller.

Location: Cocoa, James G. Bourbeau Memorial Park

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Anartia-jatrophae

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.

September 23, 2025

We are male and female Eastern Pondhawks

Blue for boy and green for girl

We both like to eat mosquitos

So our admiration is well earned!

Location: Cocoa, James G. Bourbeau Memorial Park

Sources: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/dragonflies

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.

September 22, 2025

I am known as a Red Saddlebags

Due to the pattern on my wings

I look similar to a Carolina Saddlebags

But bags are differently shaped, among other things. 

(Make sure you click the link below - it has a very clear side-by side comparison of Carolina vs. Red Saddlebags.)

Location: Cocoa, James G. Bourbeau Memorial Park

Sources: https://waltersanford.wordpress.com/2016/07/08/carolina-saddlebags-dragonflies-males/

https://waltersanford.wordpress.com/2016/07/08/carolina-saddlebags-dragonflies-males/

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.

June 11, 2025

I am known as a Blue Dasher dragonfly

My scientific name, "Pachydiplax longipennis" doesn't mean what you think

It translates to "Swift Long-winged skimmer"

Although my wings aren't particularly long or distinct.

Location: McKee Botanical Garden, Vero Beach

Sources: https://uwm.edu/field-station/bug-of-the-week/blue-dasher-dragonflies-family-libellulidae/

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 19, 2025

I am a Little Blue Dragonlet

I'm a Skimmer species that is very small

I'm inconspicuous and like to hide in the grass

And though I'm common, I'm not banal.

Location: Longleaf Pine Preserve, New Smyrna Beach

Sources: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/odes/a/accounts.php?id=97

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.

December 11, 2024

I am a female Roseate Skimmer

You can tell by the white stripe on my back

Another identifying mark for me:

On my lower abdomen is a brown-edged flap.

As described in the referenced article from the Houston Arboretum, the female Roseate Skimmer uses their flap to "scoop up water and fling it forward as she lays eggs so they are scattered far and wide by the splash."

Location: Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, TX

Sources: https://houstonarboretum.org/dragonfly-days-of-summer/
https://lloyddragon.com/roseate-skimmer-id/

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.

November 26, 2024

We are a pair of Variegated Meadowhawks

Flying together through the air

There are predators around

But we're getting down

And are far too busy to care. 

Check out the amazing video linked below - see what mating dragonflies are up against!

Location: National Butterfly Center, Mission TX

Sources: https://dragonflywebsite.com/dragonfly-mating.cfm

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.

November 19, 2024

I am known as a Black Saddlebags

Named for the large black spots on my wings

These spots shade my abdomen so I don't overheat

They are not just sharp-looking bling. 

Location: Corpus Christi, TX

Sources: https://uwm.edu/field-station/bug-of-the-week/black-saddlebags-dragonfly-family-libellulidae/

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.

September 9, 2024

I am a male Scarlet Skimmer

I live where native dragonflies don't hang

I prefer to hang out in low-quality wetlands

Frankly my dear, I don't give a dang.

Location: Jones' Pier Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/18756

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.

May 16, 2024

I might be a Needham's Skimmer

Or I might be a Golden-winged

But without a far more clear photo

Positive ID is a hard thing to swing.

Location: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

Sources: Judging by the first 2 pages on this web site, I am leaning towards Needham's Skimmer, but the photo needs to be a bit more clear to tell for sure:

https://public.fotki.com/gstrick3/misc-images-intende/auripennisneedhami5.html#media
https://public.fotki.com/gstrick3/misc-images-intende/auripennisneedhami2.html#media

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.

November 26, 2023

I am known as a Scarlet Skimmer

I compete with the Eastern Pondhawk and Snowy Egret

We all like to snack on Rambur's Forktail

But to me, a Common Clubtail's a threat.

(Check out the cool Trophic Web chart at the Encyclopedia of Life link below that shows predator/prey relationships.)

Location: TM Goodwin WMA, Broadmoor Unit

Sources: https://eol.org/pages/131983

https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/species/common-clubtail-dragonfly/

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 11, 2023

I am known as an Eastern Amberwing
I'm tiny and considered a "wasp mimic"

I fly fast and erratic, but I don't sting

Looking like I might is just my gimmick

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://uwm.edu/field-station/bug-of-the-week/eastern-amberwing-dragonfly-family-libellulidae/

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson