December 13, 2025

I am a Gulf Fritillary Butterfly

I have 3 white dots on each of my wings

They are circled with black

And a little abstract

Like the result of a Pollock paint fling.

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: http://socalbutterflies.com/nymphalidae_html/Dione_incarnata.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Pollock

Photo and text © 2025 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.

December 12, 2025

I am known as a Blue Jay

Notice you don't see my big crest

I can lower it when I'm chilling with family 

Or having a snack or at rest. 

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

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

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue_Jay/photo-gallery/311635911

Photo and text © 2025 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.

December 11, 2025

I am a Pileated Woodpecker

I like to eat termites and carpenter ants

I find them by pecking on trees and on poles

Only downside is ants in my pants.

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pileated_Woodpecker/lifehistory

Photo and text © 2025 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.

December 10, 2025

I am a female Red-bellied Woodpecker

Looking for bugs on a tree

If I were male, I'd be red

On the top of my head

But still wouldn't have a red belly.

(But if you look close, you can see just a hint of pink on the tummy.)

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-bellied_Woodpecker/id

Photo and text © 2025 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.

December 9, 2025

I'm an adult American Kestrel
Before I fledged I was bad, such audacity!
When I had to poop
I'd just cut it loose
Onto the walls of my nest cavity.

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

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

Photo and text © 2025 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.

December 8, 2025

This plant is known as Lion's Ear

Although I have no idea why

I am guessing it was named by someone

Who never saw a lion walk by.

Location: Teague Hammock Preserve, Port St. Lucie, FL

Sources: https://plant-directory.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/leonotis-nepetifolia/

Photo and text © 2025 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.

December 7, 2025

This plant is known as Psychotria tenuifolia

Velvet-leafed Wild Coffee more commonly

It's berries are shown here in 

Various stages and colors of ripening.

Location: Teague Hammock Preserve, Port St. Lucie, FL

Sources: https://nativebutterflyflowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Velvet-Leaf-Coffee.pdf

Photo and text © 2025 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.