April 14, 2026

We are both Little Blue Herons

But only one of us is blue

I am a juvenile, so I am still white

My friend's a happy adult, not blue through and through.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Little_Blue_Heron/id

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.

January 15, 2026

I am a Little Blue Heron

I sing but I'm not too good at it

I mostly just make harsh croaking sounds

But I want to make music so I bought this drum kit.

Location: St. Sebastian River Buffer Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Little_Blue_Heron/sounds

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 21, 2023

I am a Little Blue Heron

In Florida you can find me year round

In winter you might find me in SOCAL

If there's a Little Blue starlet who wants to get down.

Location: Riverside Park, Vero

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 18, 2023

I am a Little Blue Heron

In Florida, I have a "Threatened" status

Although there is not a definitive reason for this

It could be poor environmental protection practice.

(As described in the linked article, "The current threats to the little blue heron are not well understood.  Threats may include coastal development, disturbance at foraging and breeding sites, environmental issues, degradation of feeding habitat, reduced prey availability, and predators.  Other threats may include exposure to pesticides, toxins, and infection by parasites (Rodgers et al. 1995).

Yeah, that might have something to do with it...)

Location: F. Burton Smith Regional Park

Sources: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/waterbirds/little-blue-heron/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 13, 2022

I am a juvenile Little Blue Heron

When I look straight at you I look somewhat strange

Unlike birds of prey,

My eyes are on the side of my face,

So views of predators are unrestrained.

Location: Stan Blum Memorial Boat Ramp, Fort Pierce

Sources: https://maxbirdfacts.com/how-do-birds-see-with-eyes-on-side-of-head-monocular-vision-to-evade-danger/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

April 6, 2022

I am an adult Little Blue Heron

Although that kind of sounds like a paradox

And I'm not totally blue, my head and neck are maroon

And my bi-colored beak is a little unorthodox.

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Little_Blue_Heron/id

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 27, 2022

I am a young Little Blue Heron

I'm white cause I'm immature

I use my middle toe as a grooming tool

It ensures my birdy allure.

Location: Riverview Park, Vero

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 22, 2022

I am a Little Blue Heron

I prefer fresh water to salt

When I'm young, you might mistake me for a snowy egret

If you don't have a bird book that isn't my fault.

Location: Riverview Park, Vero

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 9, 2021

I am an immature Little Blue Heron,

I'm mostly blue but still have white underneath

I'm at that awkward in between molts phase

And - dang! - I've got something stuck in my teeth.

Location: Jetty Park, Fort Pierce

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Little_Blue_Heron/id

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 30, 2021

I am a Little Blue Heron

Although at the moment I look kind of mottled

I am molting into my adult blue plumage

I was solid white when I was young and toddled.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 5, 2021

I am a Little Blue Heron

I was not effected by the plume trade.

Other herons have fancier feathers

Luckily hats with feathers are now old and cliched.

Location: West Cocoa

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/little-blue-heron

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 26, 2020

Location: Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area, Fellsmere

We are a Snowy, Cattle and Little Blue 
Sitting on the shore taking in sun
If we find a 4th guy, we might form a band:
Cattle, Blue, Snowy and Young

Sources: Teach Your Children

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 7, 2019

Location: Jetty Park, Fort Pierce

I'm a Little Blue Heron
This fish sure looks delectable
I'd tell you more about it
But mom says, "Don't talk with your mouth full!"

Sources: Etiquette Scholar - Bad Table Manners

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson