August 7, 2020

Location: Moore Haven

I am a Southern Florida Swamp Snake

I'm red on my belly and black on the top

I'm non-venomous and harmless

And I'm aquatic and live in the swamp.

Special thanks to guest photographer and my sweetheart, David Simpson.

Sources: Florida Museum - Southern Florida Swamp Snake 

Photo © 2020 David Simpson, text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 6, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am a molting Florida Scrub-Jay

I don't normally have poofy white eyebrows

I'm usually sleek and tidy

Unlike the hot mess you're looking at now. 

Sources: Dee at 8:00 a.m. - Scrub Jays

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 5, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am known as a Horse Guard Wasp,

So called because I eat Horseflies.

This is a good thing, because Horseflies sting, 

Transmit diseases, and can make people cry!

Sources: BugGuide - Species Stictia carolina - Horse Guard Wasp

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 4, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am a male Northern Bobwhite

You can tell by my black eyestripe

If I were female my eyestripe would be lighter brown

In the southwest you might see a rare Masked Bobwhite.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Northern Bobwhite

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 3, 2020

Location: Mattawamkeag, Maine

I am a female Eastern Dobsonfly

During breeding I can lay 1000 eggs

My mate has large sickle-like jaws

And as adults we live three to eight days.

Special thanks to guest photographer (and my big brother) Wayne Blanchard. 

Sources: UF | IFAS Featured Creatures - Eastern Dobsonfly

Photo © 2020 Wayne Blanchard, text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 2, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am a baby Gopher Tortoise

I am an ectotherm, which means I depend on the sun.

My mom laid between six and 8 eggs

I'm probably the only one left having fun*.

* As mentioned in the article below, "Within a few weeks of eggs being laid, up to 87% of nests may be predated upon, according to one study."

Sources: Animal Diversity Web: Gopherus polyphemus (Florida) Gopher Tortoise

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 1, 2020

Location: Taylor Creek/Nubbins Slough Conservation Area, Okeechobee

I am a White Peacock butterfly

Landing on some Frog Fruit
This was my host plant when I was caterpillar

But now I'm covered by scales and am far less hirsute.

Sources: Butterflies and Moths of North America: White Peacock

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson