The Small Dragonflies - Critter 107

We saw hundreds of small dragonflies at backyard last summer. The Scientific name is Pachydiplax longipennis with common name Blue Dasher.  

Fig 01 - Dragonfly at yard

In our area, summer was characterized by heat wave and drought. The conditions might relate to absent some insects.

We saw less than usual or even didn't see the following insects:

- Lovebugs

- Bush crickets (Katydids)

- The big golden silk orb weavers

- Honey bees

- and craneflies

Fig 02 - A blue dasher

In the small fish, we came across a very strange looking creature. Upon looking it up, we found it was the young undeveloped dragonfly.

Fig 03 - A little dragonfly

Hopefully things will get back to normal soon because birds and many other organisms depend on insects as their main food sources.

Fig 04 - Painting of dragonfly

Did you notice there are abundant of dragonflies in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- Homeless and Drug Addictions – Sign 35 | Tanza Erlambang

- Homeless and Drug Addictions – Sign 35 | Tanza Erlambang

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The Great Egret to Visit our Lawn - Critter 106

We may spot this bird, the Great Egret in our areas year-round. Every season is the perfect time. 

Figure 01 - Lonely visitor, Great Egret 

We believe the scientific name for Great Egret is Ardea alba. Interestingly, It has many common names, few of them are:

- Otis, very local name

- great white egret

- big egret

- common egret

- white heron

- and etc.

Figure 02 - Just meme

Have you seen the great egret around you?

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A Little Flower Garden - Gardening and Hobby 73

We have a spot of tiny flower garden at the lawn path of Boulevard entrance. The garden was started about 5 months ago.

Fig 01 - Just starting, 5 months ago.

I saw flowers are blooming, many varieties of them, unfortunately, I don't recognized their exact names. They are beautiful. 

However, some flowers for small garden in our community are:

- Purple Coneflower

- Butterfly Weed

- Black-eyed Susan

- Camellias

- Daffodils and etc.

Fig 02 - Blooming at little garden

You may see some pumpkins as part of decorations. The pumpkins make tiny garden more colorful.

Fig 03 - Kind of flowers

Fig 04 - Beautiful of little garden

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- Homemade Local Pecan Candy - Part 1 - Food Variety 29 |

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Beekeepers and Local Honey in the City - Food Variety 40

We don't know the exact number of beekeepers in our city or community, it is because no formal registration system in place.

Fig 01 - The beekeeper.

However, the estimate number is about 100 beekeepers in the city, Baton Rouge. This number is quite reasonable in urban areas.

Beekeepers are not really "professional" in urban areas, just kind of "part time" jobs and even hobby. 

They use open space (land) as a be yard. 1 acre (0.41 ha) of land is good to support at least 20 hives.

These 20 artificial hives could produce about 5 gallons or 60 pounds (18.93 liters) fresh honey per year.

Fig 02 - A bee sips nectar of flower.

In our suburban community, we might legally have up to 3 artificially bee hives in our own backyards.

Fig 03 - A bee in other flowers.

Some benefits to have hives in our backyards:

- free honey from your yard

- and free pollination services from the bees!

Fig 04 - Local fresh honey

Do you like local fresh honey?

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Mockingbird as One of Morning Visitors - Critter 105

Mockingbirds rarely visit our backyard, and when they do, it's always in the early morning as of recently.

Fig 01 - A mockingbird in the morning.

The bird might be attracted to "the suet cakes" which content animal fat. The fat is loved by many wild birds.  

Mockingbird has pecked or eaten this suet cake in such a way with almost no remaining in the feeder. 

We bought the box of suet cakes from Amazon with specification

- Brand: Wildlife Sciences

- A box contains 10 packs

- Price $ 19.99

Fig 02 - A box of Suet Cakes

In addition to Mockingbirds, it seems to be a good one for woodpeckers. Interestingly, there are some brands in the market. I should try some of them in the near future.

Fig 03 - Eating suet cake

Do you have specific food for wild birds

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- Could Scientists Develop Un-hackable Computers? - Part 1 |

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Blooming of Angelonia - Gardening and Hobby 72

Angelonia is one of the few plants that loves southern states of USA hot temperature and humidity.  

Figure - Blooming of Angelonia

This beautiful flower has common name or nicknamed, summer snapdragons. Drought tolerant but well with our rain. Doesn't usually need extra watering.

Angelonia is annually, but our plant did great until the big freeze in January. Replanted these in the Spring.

New (young) leaves of Angelonia are not tolerant to several animals (critters) such as:

- deer

- rabbits

- squirrels

- and other small wild critters.

We actually did cover them before the freeze. But the frost cloth was too lightweight. We used a heavy one (tree cover) doubled and it saved our Angelonia. Lesson learned. No deer, just squirrels and small wildlife.

Do you know about Angelonia?

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The House Sparrow is a Kind of Gangster - Critter 104

We posted invasive species of House Sparrow that could kill and even takes over nest of native birds.

Fig 01 - A Bluebird was killed by House Sparrow.

You may see previous post: 

- The Invasive Bird, a House Sparrow - Critter 103 | 

The House Sparrow may bully flock birds, and very aggressive towards our native songbirds, and will kill them.

If House Sparrow catch them in a birdhouse, the aggressive Sparrow will poke their eyes out, or both.

Then he throws the bird’s eggs out of the box or even murder their babies with his strong beaks.

Fig 02 - Flock of birds

He will have several nests going with different females at the same time. then multiply prolifically.

Fig 03 - A bluebird

That the House Sparrow way of life. What do you think?

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