A Male Downy Woodpecker - Critter 83

In our city, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the Downy Woodpecker is a frequent visitor in any seasons. 

Figure - A Downy Woodpecker

This small, black and white bird is commonly spotted darting around trees (usually dead and dying trees), and shrubs, on the hunt for insects in the city parks, gardens and even in our neighbor backyards.

Both male and female a black and white striped facial pattern and wield a short, sharp bill for pecking into wood to find insects.

The different that male has the bright red patch on the back of its head. 

The Woodpeckers play a crucial role in the local ecosystem by controlling insect populations and creating tree cavities used by other birds and animals for nesting. 

Many people, especially Birdwatchers also enjoy spotting them due to their unique look and agile movements.

Do you know about a Downy Woodpecker?

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The Cypress Vine in the Yard - Gardening and Hobby 58

The Cypress Vines have attractive flowers form that is star shape. They may climb up to 15 feet (around 5 meters).

Figure - Red Cypress vine.

In our area, there is one species only of this vine with scientific name called as Ipomoea quamoclit.

However, by searching through internet that it is said the species only one in the world, but breeding is quite plenty. 

The fact is quite strange for me!

Moreover, Cypress Vine, known for its charming flowers and rapid growth, is a favored annual in many gardens in our areas.

Highly invasive, they should be planted in areas where you don't mind them taking over indefinitely. Every flower produces countless seeds, each sprouting into a new vine.

Do you know about Cypress Vine?

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The Roseate Spoonbill in the Pond - Critter 82

We are just lucky to see the Roseate Spoonbill in one of several ponds around our neighborhood today. 

Figure - The lonely Roseate Spoonbill

The bird is a master to search its food in the shallow water, since it has a unique spoon-shaped bill.

Roseate Spoonbill primary diets are small aquatic creatures such as:

- fish, like small minnows

- aquatic insects, include dragonfly and beetles.

- some small crustaceans, they are crabs, crayfish and shrimp.

Interestingly, diet of this bird contains both higher nutritious and pigments called carotenoids (contributes to its vibrant pink coloration).

Do you know about bird called Roseate Spoonbill?

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The Funny Halloween Decoration - Sign 77

When Halloween coming, we just love to observe our neighborhood decorations. Sure, there are variety of decorations

Fig - Waiting till be skull. 

There are several purposes of Halloween decorations, either functional or aesthetic or even just for self-entertainment.

The above image shows a Halloween decoration of two skeletons sitting on a bench, wearing football helmets and holding beer mugs. 

Interestingly, the skeletons are wearing Cowboys hats and jerseys, and there is a sign in front of them that says "Waiting Till The Cowboys Win The Superbowl." 

Cowboys is a football team: The Dallas Cowboys. This team won Superbowl championship 5 times:

- in 1971

- 1977

- 1992

- 1993

- and 1995

Since the last Dallas Cowboys won Superbowl was about 30 years ago, it is impossible to win now and even near future.  

What do you think?

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A Hawk Perched on the Cable - Critter 81

Some of us might be familiar to see a hawk or birds perching on the trees, rocks and electric cables. 

Fig - A hawk perching and looking surround. 

For me, catching sight of a hawk perched on the electric wire is a wonderful and magical moment. It is a kind of reminder of how all living things are connected and the incredible diversity of nature.

Moreover, there are several purposes of hawk perching on cable:

1) Resting point:

- cable could be secure place for resting

2) Hunting point:

- Hawk able to view surrounding areas to spot preys such as bunny, rodents and other small animals.

3) Spotting other source of foods

- A hawk may interest on garbage or discarded foods near neighborhood.

What do you think?

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Blooming of Indoors Orchids - Gardening and Hobby 57

 Orchids are well known flowers that come from warmer regions such as: Southeast Asia, Latin America and even Africa. 

Fig 01 - The white orchids 

Some countries produce beautiful orchids are:

- Southeast Asian countries include Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippine.

- African country, Madagascar.

- Latin America countries such as Colombia, Ecuador and Panama. 

People love tropical orchids with many reasons among of them are:

- exotic fragrances

- vibrant colors

- and intricate shapes

Fig 02 - Tree colors of flowers

There are around 800 genera of tropical orchids in the world. The popular genera in our areas are Dendrobium, Cattleya and Vanda. 

Fig 03 - The orchid in the glass jar.

Dendrobium genus is one of our favorite orchids, because it offers very attractive colors and shapes.

Fig 04 - Colorful flower. 

Do you love orchid? 

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The Goose Poop on the Walking Path - Critter 80

There is a family of geese lives permanently around our neighborhood retention pond. Others come and go.

Fig 01- Wild Geese.

Unfortunately, these geese will only do "their business" on the sidewalk close to the retention pond.

It requires an excellent hop- scotched to not come home with "something extra" (goose poop) on your shoes.

Sort of an analogy for life troubles - sometimes you hop over it, sometimes steps smack into it!

There might be a natural product that could be sprayed on the walkway monthly which would deter them from using it.

Fig 02 - Goose poop on the walking path. 

We saw Goose Stopper, liquid repellent sold in Home Depot with reasonable price, but we don't know the effective of liquid for keeping geese off the walking path.

Fig 03 - Goose Stopper, liquid repellent 

What do you think?

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