June 11, 2026

This plant is Amur Honeysuckle

It is an invasive non-native plant

It shades out other natives and can grow 15 feet tall

Despite looking pretty at first glance.

Location: Pearson Metro Park, Oregon, OH

Sources: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lonicera-maackii/

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.

June 10, 2026

I am a Baltimore Oriole

Ripe, dark colored fruit is what I demand

Deep purple is my favorite color of grapes

And is also my favorite rock band.

Location: Pearson Metro Park, Oregon, OH

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

https://youtu.be/UAKCR7kQMTQ?si=ka3AfqVVFiXuEAYQ

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.

June 9, 2026

I am known as an Eastern Fox Squirrel

I have many ways to communicate and keep me from harm

Including vibrissae that I use as sensors

Near my eyes, nose, chin and forearms.

Location: Pearson Metro Park, Oregon, OH

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

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.

June 8, 2026

I am in the family of Wolf spiders

Possibly a Shiny Wolf

I hide on the ground

While skulking around

Looking for insects to eat till I'm full.

(This was kind of a tough one for ID as I was far from home and not familiar with the spiders. Would have been nice if a scientist wandered by with a microscope so I could get a better ID!)

Location: Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Oak Harbor, OH

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/153809-Pardosa-moesta#articles-tab

Common Spiders of North America by Richard A. Bradley

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.

June 7, 2026

I am an Eastern Warbling Vireo

Cowbirds sometimes lay their eggs in my nest

But I am no fool

I use my beak as a tool

To get rid of the eggs when I notice the jest.

Location: Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Oak Harbor, OH

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Warbling_Vireo/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.

June 6, 2026

I am a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak

But sometimes I pretend to be a nuthatch

I usually eat berries or glean insects

Upside down when I'm feeling brash.

Location: Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Oak Harbor, OH

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Rose-breasted_Grosbeak/lifehistory

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.

June 5, 2026

I am an breeding male American Goldfinch

I molt my feathers twice a year

Once in the cold late winter

And again when autumn is near.

Location: Pearson Metropark Johlin Cabin Wildlife Viewing Area, Oregon, OH

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch/

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.