November 30, 2017

Location: Titusville, Enchanted Forest

I'm a female Cloudless Sulphur butterfly.
My wings are edged with black, but I'm yellow over all.
My boyfriend's wings are edged in light brown,
And we both migrate south in the fall.

My color when I'm a caterpillar
Is based on my favorite cuisine:
If I snack on flowers my larvae is yellow,
If I eat leaves, the larvae is green.

Sources: UF/IAFS Featured Creatures: Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 29, 2017

Location: Orlando, Lake Eola

I'm a bird known as a Black Swan
People used to think only white swans exist.
Until 1697 when Willem de Vlamingh,
Went to Australia and added me to his life list.

Sources: Black swan: the impossible bird

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 28, 2017

Location: Orlando, Lake Eola

I am a feral Rock Pigeon.
I'm truly a beauty to behold.
I used to be raised for meat,
And my poop was worth it's weight in gold!

Sources: Feral pigeon: flying rat or urban hero?

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 27, 2017

Location: Orlando, Lake Eola

I'm a feral Rock Pigeon,
For centuries, I've been domesticated.
In World War II I won medals,
Today, my intelligence is underrated.

Sources: Feral pigeon: flying rat or urban hero?

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 26, 2017

Location: Orlando, Lake Eola

I’m a swan known as a Whooper.
I’m native to places like Saskatchewan.
I’m mostly known for my whoop-whoop call.
And I’m related to the Trumpeter Swan.

Sources: Audubon Birds of North America - Whooper Swan

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 25, 2017

Location: Orlando, Lake Eola

I'm known as a Mallard Duck,
The blue wing patch is a defining mark.
I like to eat seeds and aquatic vegetation.
You can find me in wetlands, ponds, and parks.

Sources: All About Birds: Mallard Duck

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 24, 2017

Location: Orlando, Lake Eola

I am a Snowy Egret.
My shoes and sox don’t match.
Though I’ll never be Beau Brummell,
To plume hunters I was quite the catch.

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson