November 25, 2018

Location: Fellsmere, my house

I'm known as a Southern Black Racer,
In Florida, I'm one of three Racer subspecies.
You can differentiate us by our scales and eye color.
Or if you don't want to get that close, by geography.

Sources: Florida Museum Snake Identification, Eastern Racer

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 24, 2018

Location: Tavares, Lake Idamere County Park

We are a pair of Gulf fritillaries
We like nectar from Cordias and Lantana.
We also like pastures and open fields.
But have no opinion on Hannah Montana.

Sources: Butterflies and Moths of North America - Gulf Fritillary

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Blatant plug reminder: David and I are excited to announce that we will be participating in the Shop Small event at the Heritage Center in downtown Vero Beach, TODAY, November 24th, from 9 a.m.-1:00 p.m. In addition to tours, we will be selling calendars, magnets, and our brand new field guide* (all of which feature my photography), as well as gift packages that include all of the above in a handmade reusable tote bag. We hope you will come out and see us, and support us, as well as the many other local businesses who will be there. Visit the Heritage Center facebook page for details.

* The guide is in print as we speak. If it is not available by Saturday, you can pre-order and we will deliver as soon as it's available.

November 23, 2018

Location: Tavares, Lake Idamere County Park

I am a Bulimulus sporadicus
I'm an invasive exotic snail.
I was first reported in Florida in 2009,
And I've spread hitching rides on the rails.

Sources: Jacksonville Snails - Bulimulus sporadicus (d’Orbigny, 1835)  (Scroll to the end of the Field Notes section - mine is the most recent sighting.)

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Blatant plug reminder: David and I are excited to announce that we will be participating in the Shop Small event at the Heritage Center in downtown Vero Beach, this Saturday, November 24th, from 9 a.m.-1:00 p.m. In addition to tours, we will be selling calendars, magnets, and our brand new field guide* (all of which feature my photography), as well as gift packages that include all of the above in a handmade reusable tote bag. We hope you will come out and see us, and support us, as well as the many other local businesses who will be there. Visit the Heritage Center facebook page for details.

* The guide is in print as we speak. If it is not available by Saturday, you can pre-order and we will deliver as soon as it's available.

November 22, 2018

Location: Tavares, Lake Idamere County Park

This is probably a Firebush cultivar
Which means it was created through selective breeding.
Attempts are made to produce the brightest and best,
By the color, I'd say they're succeeding!

Sources: Florida Native Plant Society - Hamelia patens - firebush

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Blatant plug reminder: David and I are excited to announce that we will be participating in the Shop Small event at the Heritage Center in downtown Vero Beach, this Saturday, November 24th, from 9 a.m.-1:00 p.m. In addition to tours, we will be selling calendars, magnets, and our brand new field guide* (all of which feature my photography), as well as gift packages that include all of the above in a handmade reusable tote bag. as well as gift packages that include all of the above in a handmade reusable tote bag. We hope you will come out and see us, and support us, as well as the many other local businesses who will be there. Visit the Heritage Center facebook page for details.

* The guide is in print as we speak. If it is not available by Saturday, you can pre-order and we will deliver as soon as it's available.

November 21, 2018

Location: Tavares, Lake Idamere County Park

We are known as Pogonomyrmex badius
Or simply, Florida Harvester Ants.
We are not aggressive, but you'll hurt if we sting,
We prefer to harvest seeds from plants.

Sources: UF | IFAS Featured Creatures - Florida Harvester Ant

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Blatant plug reminder: David and I are excited to announce that we will be participating in the Shop Small event at the Heritage Center in downtown Vero Beach, this Saturday, November 24th, from 9 a.m.-1:00 p.m. In addition to tours, we will be selling calendars, magnets, and our brand new field guide* (all of which feature my photography), as well as gift packages that include all of the above in a handmade reusable tote bag. We hope you will come out and see us, and support us, as well as the many other local businesses who will be there. Visit the Heritage Center facebook page for details.

* The guide is in print as we speak. If it is not available by Saturday, you can pre-order and we will deliver as soon as it's available.

November 20, 2018

Location: Tavares, Lake Idamere County Park

I am an Obscure Bird Grasshopper
Despite my name, I'm actually easy to see.
I jump so fast and so high, I appear to fly,
And I'm large and usually bright green.

Sources: The Obscure Bird Grasshopper

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Blatant plug: David and I are excited to announce that we will be participating in the Shop Small event at the Heritage Center in downtown Vero Beach, this Saturday, November 24th, from 9 a.m.-1:00 p.m. In addition to tours, we will be selling calendars, magnets, and our brand new field guide* (all of which feature my photography), as well as gift packages that include all of the above in a handmade reusable tote bag. We hope you will come out and see us, and support us, as well as the many other local businesses who will be there. Visit the Heritage Center facebook page for details.

* The guide is in print as we speak. If it is not available by Saturday, you can pre-order and we will deliver as soon as it's available.

November 19, 2018

Location: Mt Dora, Lake Apopka North Shore Restoration Area

When you last saw me, I was Leucauge venusta,
Leucauge argyrobapta is my new name.
Scientists recently determined that
My northern relations and I are not the same.

Sources: Species delimitation of the North American orchard-spider Leucauge venusta (Walckenaer, 1841) (Araneae, Tetragnathidae)

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Blatant plug: David and I are excited to announce that we will be participating in the Shop Small event at the Heritage Center in downtown Vero Beach, this Saturday, November 24th, from 9 a.m.-1:00 p.m. In addition to tours, we will be selling calendars, magnets, and our brand new field guide* (all of which feature my photography), as well as gift packages that include all of the above in a handmade reusable tote bag. We hope you will come out and see us, and support us, as well as the many other local businesses who will be there. Visit the Heritage Center facebook page for details.

* The guide is in print as we speak. If it is not available by Saturday, you can pre-order and we will deliver as soon as it's available.