July 31, 2017

Location: Vero Beach, Environmental Learning Center

I am still a Coontie Hairstreak caterpillar,
I'm starting to form a chrysalis.
Technically, I'm starting to digest myself,
It's basic science, I'm not just a nihilist.

Welcome to day 4 of my special series on the lifecycle of the Cootie Hairstreak butterfly.

Sources: Scientific American - How Does a Caterpillar Turn into a Butterfly?

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 30, 2017

Location: Vero Beach, Environmental Learning Center

I am an Atala caterpillar,
But I might look a little strange.
My spots are starting to disappear,
My body is starting change...

Welcome to day 3 of my special series on the lifecycle of the Cootie Hairstreak butterfly.

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 29, 2017

Location: Vero Beach, Environmental Learning Center

I am a young Atala caterpillar,
I'm eating a plant called the Coontie.
In fact, it's the only thing that I'll ever eat,
Good thing it tastes so yummy to me!

Welcome to day 2 of my special series on the lifecycle of the Cootie Hairstreak butterfly.

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 28, 2017

Location: Vero Beach, Environmental Learning Center

These are the eggs of the Coontie Hairstreak,
And the Coontie plant to which they are attached.
Right now they are tiny and white,
But stay tuned to see what happens when they hatch!

Welcome to a special series on the lifecycle of the Coontie Hairstreak butterfly. For the next six days, I will be showing this beautiful butterfly from an egg all the way to an adult. Enjoy!

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 27, 2017

Location: Vierra Wetlands

I'm an American Bittern,
I like to pose so that you can't see me.
With my brown and white stripes, I blend in so well,
I disappear just like Houdini.

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 26, 2017

Location: Port St. Lucie, Whispering Pines Park

I'm a Northern Curly-tailed Lizard,
Florida is not my native land.
In 1940, I was brought here to combat sugar cane pests,
From my home in the Bahamian islands.

Sources: FFWCC - Nonnatives - Northern Curly-tailed Lizard

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 25, 2017

Location: Port St. Lucie, Whispering Pines Park

I am a tiny Pyrausta tyralis,
A.K.A, the Coffee-Loving Pyrausta Moth.
My larvae feed on Psychotria nervosa,
My wings are brick red with yellow marks across.

Sources: iNaturalist.org, Coffee-loving Pyrausta Moth


Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson