Doves on the Roof - Critter 108

 Dove is one of birds comes back to our yards during breeding seasons almost every year. We believe they nest on that time.

Fig 01 - Three doves

Some said doves are a symbol of family and having them is a blessing. It means there is peace in your yard.

Observation summary of doves:

- when the mother left the nest, the father would take his turn keeping eggs warm.

- Once hatched they (other and father) also took turns feeding them.

- The babies are tiny but grow quickly. The young would try to explore and fall out of the nest before being able to fly.

- It was funny watching their parents trying to contain them.

Fig 02 - A white dove

We have also seen adult birds teach their young how to swoop in and pick up food which was interesting. The baby repeatedly failed, and the parent patiently showed it over and over until the baby got it right.

Fig 03 - At least one juvenile.

Have doves come to your yards?

# Previous postings:

- The Female Kinglet at the Backyard – Critter 34 | Tanza

- The Cactus Fruit Sold in the Market – Sign 37 | Tanza

- Can Mosquitoes be Exterminated on the Earth? - Part 1

- The Portable Stump for Hunting Blind – Sign 38 | Tanza

- The Differences between Pink and Regular Salts - Part 2 - Food Variety 28

The Free Pantry at the Corner

We have several library boxes, kind of swap libraries at our communities. We may take one, then put one as swapping. 

Figure 01 - Library box converted to pantry box.

You may read previous post about library box in our community:

- Less Books in the Box – Sign 17 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Recently, one of library boxes has been converted into a free pantry by someone we don't know yet.

What a fabulous idea!!! And such a good time for it! This is very neighborly: generosity and efforts to support our neighborhood

We may take what we need or that others can also easily provide their support when able to do so.

Figure 02 - One of library boxes

Figure 03 - Inside box.

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- Bees Love Nectar of Yellow Jessamine – Critter 33 | Tanza

- Have You Ever Tasted a Paria? - Part 1 - Food Variety 31 | Tanza

- Mayflower the Moving Business Company – Sign 36 | Tanza

- May Insects Kill Human with Their Stings? - Part 1 | Tanza

- The Female Kinglet at the Backyard – Critter 34 | Tanza Erlambang

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

- Could Scientists Develop Unhackable Computers? - Part 2 |

- Wild White Flowers in the Spring - Gardening and Hobby 30 |

- Bees Love Nectar of Yellow Jessamine – Critter 33 | Tanza

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?

# Previous postings:

- The Typical French Garden Style in Louisiana – Sign 34 | Tanza

- What is Negative Interest Rate Mean? - Part 1 | Tanza

- Rare to See Spicebush Swallowtails in the Yard – Critter 32 |

- Is Tempeh Better than Tofu? - Part 1 – Food Variety 30 | Tanza

- Homeless and Drug Addictions – Sign 35 | Tanza Erlambang

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 |

- The Friendly Himalayan Cat – Critter 31 | Tanza Erlambang

- How Could Scientists Cure AIDS Patients? - Part 2 – Virus 40

- Blooming of Starfish Cactus - Gardening and Hobby 29 |

- The Typical French Garden Style in Louisiana – Sign 34 |

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?

# Previous postings:

- The Differences between Pink and Regular Salts - Part 1 - Food Variety 28

- Why is Low Glycemic Index Important? - Diabetes 29 | Tanza

- Food Sources for Coyote in the City – Critter 30 | Tanza

- The Painting Exhibition in Our State – Sign 33 | Tanza 

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

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

# Previous postings:

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

- A Ruby Crowned Kinglet – Critter 29 | Tanza Erlambang

- Have you Tasted Tamarind Fruit or Juice? - Part 2 - Food Variety 27

- What does Dogtopia Mean? - Sign 32 | Tanza Erlambang

- The Differences between Pink and Regular Salts - Part 1 - Food Variety 28