October 31, 2026

This is a perfect skeletonized leaf

It's not as scary as human bones you might see

But we're not much into horror

And Heather thought this'd be cool for Halloween!

Special thanks to today’s guest photographer, Heather Stapleton.

Location: Private residence, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.naomiloves.com/blog/2017/11/19/how-to-make-leaf-skeletons-non-toxic

Photo © 2026 Heather Stapleton and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

October 30, 2026

The Sweetgum tree attracts birds

It also provides shade on sunny days

The leaves and fruit eventually fall to the ground

And you have some compost once they decay.

Special thanks to today’s guest photographer, Heather Stapleton.

Location: Private residence, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.naomiloves.com/blog/2017/11/19/how-to-make-leaf-skeletons-non-toxic

Photo © 2026 Heather Stapleton and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

October 29, 2026

The holes in the leaf are perfect and round

The hole-maker's not here but they aren't at rest

They are using leaf bits

Combined with bee spit 

And pollen to wallpaper their nest.

Special thanks to today’s guest photographer, Heather Stapleton.

Location: Private residence, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/know-your-native-pollinators-leafcutter-bees/

Photo © 2026 Heather Stapleton and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

October 28, 2026

I am a female American Redstart

I'm not bright and flashy like a male

But from this view

You don't have to guess "Who?"

You know I'm me by my yellow-patched tail.

Special thanks to today’s guest photographer, Heather Stapleton.

Location: Private residence, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Redstart/photo-gallery/297029071

Photo © 2026 Heather Stapleton and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

October 27, 2026

I am a Grasshopper Sparrow

So named for what I like to eat

I stay close to the ground

And whack them around

Then feed my babies legless grasshopper treats!

Special thanks to today’s guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Western St. Lucie County

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

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

October 26, 2026

We are three Chestnut-fronted Macaws
We briefly formed a rock band
The guy in the middle was our lead singer

But he is too pitchy so we had to disband.

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Coral Reef Park Palmetto Bay, FL

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/chfmac1/cur/introduction

Photo © 2026 David Simpson and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

October 25, 2026

I am a female Broad-billed Hummingbird

I'm only in Arizona when I'm breeding

Right now I'm looking for a mate

Who'll swing like a pendulum when I see him. 

Special thanks to today’s guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Miller Canyon, AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Broad-billed_Hummingbird

Photo © 2026 David Simpson and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.