September 7, 2021

I am a rodent known as a Nutria*

I'm an exotic brought in by the fur trade

My hobbies include destroying vegetation and crops

And hosting pathogens - much to human dismay.

* Also called Coypu

(Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.)

Location: Ouachita National Forest, Haworth, OK

Sources: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/wildlife_damage/fsc-nutria-invasive-rodent.pdf

Photo © 2021 David Simpson and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 6, 2021

This is an Osage-Orange tree

The Osage Indians made bows from its wood

The fruit contains a bitter, milky sap

That is inedible and does not make good food.

Except for the seeds, which squirrels will eat

But squirrels will eat anything if they're in the mood!

(Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.)

Location: Ouachita National Forest, Haworth, OK

Sources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=mapo

Photo © 2021 David Simpson and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 5, 2021

I am known as a Desert Stink Beetle

This head stand is part of my defense 

If a predator gets close, I stick my butt in the air

And spray them with a quite noxious scent.

(Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.)

Location: Mount Lemmon, AZ

Sources: http://bugoftheweek.com/blog/2021/1/25/stinky-headstands-in-the-desert-desert-stink-beetles-genus-eleodes

Photo © 2021 David Simpson and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 4, 2021

I am a female Broad-tailed Hummingbird, 

My mate has a deep pink neck

We breed out west in cold, high elevations

And I alone make our insulated, warm nest.

(Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.)

Location: Mt. Lemmon, Seven Cataracts pulloff, AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Broad-tailed_Hummingbird/lifehistory#nesting

Photo © 2021 David Simpson and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 3, 2021

I am a Phainopepla

I live in the US south-west.

I like to perch high and catch insects in the air

But I like to eat mistletoe berries the best.

(Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.)

Location: White Rock Campground, AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Phainopepla/overview

Photo © 2021 David Simpson and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 2, 2021

I am a male Hooded Oriole

I can be found from California to Texas

I use my sharp, curved bill to drink from tubular flowers

And my short, sweet song is quite precious.

(Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.)

Location: Sarita Rest Area, TX

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hooded_Oriole/sounds

Photo © 2021 David Simpson and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 1, 2021

This used to be a Northern Dusk-singing Cicada -

The largest Cicada in America, it can grow up to 3 inches

It is now just a discarded exoskelton

Cause the Cicada grew too big for its britches. 

(Special thanks to today's guest photographer, Tanya Poindexter.)

Location: East Point, GA

Sources: 

• https://bugguide.net/node/view/6968
• https://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/megatibicen-auletes-germar-1834-aka-northern-dusk-singing-cicada/ - Make sure you check out this link, it has some cool video of the Cicada shedding it's exoskeleton.

Photo © 2021 Tanya Poindexter and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson