January 7, 2021

I am known as a Red-shouldered Hawk, 

Compare me to to yesterday's Coopers. 

My tail is nowhere as long as his, 

And he is better at fancy flight maneuvers.

Location: West Cocoa

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/species-compare/60324921

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 6, 2021

I am known as a Cooper's Hawk

My favorite food is birds

I sometimes hang around bird feeders

Where sweet, tasty birds are served.

(True story: A few years ago, I was watching a large group of birds at my feeders and a bunch of doves on the ground below. I looked away for a moment, and when I looked back, there was just one bird out in my yard. I was wondering where my birds had gone, till I realized that the one bird remaining was a Cooper's Hawk!)

Location: West Cocoa

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Coopers_Hawk/lifehistory

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

January 4, 2021

I am known as a White Peacock

I stay low to the ground cause that's where my food is

Sometimes I pollinate Biden's Alba (shown here)

Depending on what my mood is. 

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere

Sources: https://flawildflowers.org/know-your-native-pollinators-white-peacock/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 3, 2021

I am a Great Blue Heron

I'm coming into my breeding look

Soon I'll stretch my neck and fluff up my feathers

And the girl herons will be totally hooked. 

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 2, 2021

I am an Ocola Skipper

My forewings are much longer than my hind

In Florida you can find me all year long

If you look hard and are so inclined.

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Panoquina-ocola

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 1, 2021

I am a Dorantes Longtail

I like to live in areas that are disturbed. 

Although the Biden's Alba shown here is native

In disturbed areas, exotic plants are often observed.

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Andes%20-%20Urbanus%20dorantes.htm

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson