November 17, 2020

I am a Northern Mockingbird,

You can find me in many places

I might look sweet, but don't mess with me

I remember threatening faces. 

(Note: Make sure you click the link below, it describes a really fascinating study wherein they determined that Mocking birds remember people who show signs of being a threat.)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/100years/northern-mockingbird/

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 16, 2020

I am an American Kestrel,

Some people call me "Sparrow Hawk"

When I'm breeding or feeding fledglings,

You'll hear one or two minutes of a whining squawk. 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 15, 2020

I am a Dewdrop spider

Living in a web with an Orbweaver

I am kleptoparasitic

That means I am a food and resource stealer.

(Note: It's hard to see, but look close - there is a tiny spider circled in red just above the large Orbweaver.)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://sta.uwi.edu/fst/lifesciences/sites/default/files/lifesciences/images/Argyrodes%20elevatus%20-%20Dew-drop%20Spider.pdf

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 14, 2020

On the left, there is a Red-bellied Woodpecker

On the right is a Northern Flicker

When comparing their shape, size and color -

Start with the beak - the flicker's is thicker.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-bellied_Woodpecker/species-compare/60403261

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 13, 2020

I am known as a Palm Warbler,

Though I don't really hang out in palm trees

John James Audubon called me Yellow Red-poll

Wilson renamed me in the 19th Century

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america/yellow-red-poll-warbler

https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/4154253.pdf

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 12, 2020

This is a plant in the Chamaecrista genus 

Commonly known as the Sensitive Pea

There are 8 species that belong to this genus

Which are found throughout Florida and the keys.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Genus.aspx?id=290

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 11, 2020

I am a Red-headed Woodpecker,

I spend most of my time looking for food

When I first hatched I was altricial - 

Which means my eyes were closed and I was nude.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson