June 21, 2017

Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts

I'm a baby Piping Plover,
I look like mom and dad when they aren't breeding.
I was born upon a sandy beach,
And within hours I was feeding.

Sources: (1) Wikipedia, Piping Plover

Oh no! I started this entry and was overtired and  FORGOT TO HIT PUBLISH. Whimper. My streak of posting every day ends at 171. {sigh} Haha, worst part is, no one noticed :-)

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 20, 2017

Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts

I'm an adult breeding Piping Plover,
I have a black stripe around my neck.
I have orange legs, and a bi-colored beak,
And between my eyes there's a tiny black speck!

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 19. 2017

Location: Jetty Park, Cape Canaveral

I'm a non-breeding adult Piping Plover
I'm white and grey with a white stripe round my neck.
I have some grey under neath my bill,
And to catch prey I run really fast and then peck.

Sources: (1) Cornell Lab - Piping Plover

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 18, 2017

Location: Jetty Park, Cape Canaveral

I'm a Snowy Plover,
I am a small, mostly white shorebird.
I have a black beak and eyes and grey legs,
And my call is a "husky, trill "purrt"¹

Sources: (1) Cornell All About Birds - Snowy Plover

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 17, 2017

Location: Fort Meyers, Edison and Ford Winter Estates

These are known as Banyans,
They're also known as "Walking" Trees
They grow in the tropics, but are native to India,
Where you can buy then for a few rupees.

Sources: (1) Encyclopedia of Life, Banyan Trees

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 16, 2017

Location: Titusville, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

I'm a Black and Yellow Argiope,
My venom's not harmful to humans¹
I might bite if you poke me, so just don't provoke me,
And I'll eat other bugs that can be a nuisance.

Footnote: (1) All spiders have venom, but in general, in Florida, only the Black Widow and Brown Widow have venom that is harmful to humans. Although there are many alleged bites from Brown Recluse spiders, in reality there are very few confirmed Brown Recluse spiders in Florida. They are always brought in via luggage, cars, packing crates and so forth and do not breed here.

Note though, that spider bites can be similar to bee stings in that some people can have allergic reactions.  People who are allergic to bee stings can die from just one sting, whereas in the general population, bees (and most spiders) are not harmful, and in fact are quite beneficial to humans.

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 15, 2017

Location: Peacock's Pocket, Titusville

I'm a Reddish Egret,
I have a grey body and red neck and head.
My bill's black and pink, and you probably think,
That I dance like a drunken coed. 

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures of birds that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson