September 14, 2018

Location: Lake Okechobee

I too, am a female Boat-tailed Grackle,
But my feathers are shiny and new.
I recently completed my molt -
I replaced my feathers with ones I just grew.

Sources: Cornell Labs - The Basics: Feather Molt

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 13, 2018

Location: Lake Okechobee

I am a Female Boat-tailed Grackle
I'm in the middle of my molt,
I usually don't have a pale stripe down my chest,
And my hair is usually combed!

(Today is a very special day. Be sure to wish my favorite bird guide and sweetheart,  David Simpson - a very happy birthday!)

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 12, 2018

Location: Lake Okechobee

I am known as an Anhinga
But my colloquial names can be quirky -
I'l also called Darter, Snake, or Devil bird
And some people call me Water Turkey.

Sources: Wikipedia - Anhinga

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 11, 2018

Location: Lake Okechobee

This is known as Water Hyacinth
It's an invasive exotic and somewhat evil
But insect bio-controls can help -
There's been some success with water hyacinth weevils.

Sources: UF | IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants -  Eichhornia crassipes

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 10, 2018

Location: Lake Okechobee

I am an immature Four-spotted Pennant
You might confuse me with a Tawny Pennant adult.
But I have four spots and am prettier,
So I consider that an insult.

Sources: Odonata Central - Four-spotted Pennant

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 9, 2018

Location: Lake Okechobee

I am a male Four-spotted Pennant
I like to perch on twigs and stems.
I have large spots on the middle of my wings.
That you can see without a long camera lens!

Sources: Odonata Central - Four-spotted Pennant

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 8, 2018

Location: Lake Okechobee

I'm a male Boat-tailed Grackle,
And I look like a hot mess
My feathers are messy cause I'm molting,
And I have one leg - why is anyone's guess.

I might have encountered a predator,
Like an alligator or snake
Or maybe I got tangled in fishing line,
That someone left here in the lake.

Sources: Cornell Lab - Boat Tailed Grackle

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson