An Indigo Bunting was Seen on Feeder – Critter 37

Exciting to observe Indigo Bunting at daylight, since the birds fly at night, especially during migratory season. They are using stars as a navigation tool.

Fig 01- The bird on the feeder

The bird just visit our neighborhood. April to May is the time for Indigo Bunting to migrate, from South to North America regions. Our state, Louisiana is one of their breeding areas.

Another interesting about the Indigo Buntings that their color changes. As reported by American Bird Conservancy (2023: Indigo Bunting) that When juveniles, they have light brown plumage.

During breeding season, usually at the end of Spring to Summer, male only will have blue plumage.

Fig 02- Indigo Bunting was observed in daytime.

Indigo Bunting with scientific name Passerina cyanea is not included as endangered species by “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).”

However, since their population is decreasing in America, then Indigo Bunting is protected by “the U.S. Migratory Bird Act.”

Fig 03- Blue plumage of Indigo Bunting

Have you seen Indigo Bunting in nature?

# Previous postings:

- Two States of USA are Legal for Texting and Driving – Sign 20 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Waking up after Sleeping for 24,000 years – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp in Our Neighborhood – Critter 17 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Have You Tasted Pistachio Muffins? - Part 1 – Food Variety 22 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Snails as One of Popular Seafood – Sign 21 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Wild Mushrooms on the Yards - Gardening and Hobby 33

We talked about edible mushroom at previous post:

- Edible Mushroom in the World – Food Variety 24 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- A mushroom on the yard

We may wonder why are mushrooms either poison or edible ones growing “very happy” in our lawns.

Is mushroom on yards as indication of good or bad?

In fact, it is because our yard’s soil rich in organic material, just few examples are wood barks, age manure, multiple debris, wood chips, hay, yard debris and rotten leaves.

Then, Mushrooms will break down these organic material, hence make lawn’s soil more fertile.

Fig 02- A single mushroom

Another meaning that by breaking down process, mushrooms will improve plant’s production.

Fig 03- Mushrooms on the stump

So, mushroom is not harmful, but a good sign that our yard is healthy. Our plants will grow well.

Fig 04- A mushroom on the grass

# Previous postings:

- Herbs Show at Our City Park – Sign 19 | Tanza Erlambang

- Demanding of Tofu was Increasing During Covid 19 Pandemic – Part 2 – Food Variety 21 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- A Blonde Squirrel at Our Backyard – Critter 16 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Blooming of Freesia Flowers – Part 2 - Gardening and Hobby 25 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Two States of USA are Legal for Texting and Driving – Sign 20 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Tax Free for International Visitors – Sign 43

I believe at least there are two “important” signs that are “Tax Free” and “Duty Free” in the shopping areas in almost all international airports and seaports around the globe.

Fig 01- Sign of Tax Free for international visitors

You might be know the different between Tax Free and Duty Free terms. Tax free refers to exemption of consumption tax only.

Duty Free is exemption for several taxes, such as sales, value-added, import and other relevant taxes.

Hence, if we buy the same items (same store, brand, year production and the same quality) will be significantly cheaper with duty free than tax free only.

Sure, duty free items could entice international travelers more for shopping within port’s stores.

Fig 02- Tax free items

In our state, Louisiana, we have tax free shops in certain outlets and malls for international tourists.

Fig 03- One of Tax free brands

First, the shops include consumption tax in price of each items. Then, after shopping, the tourists may claim their tax.

Assigned office for tax claim is located at the corner of the mall or the outlet complex (area).

Fig 04- The sign of Tax free.

# Previous postings:

- Peanuts in the Farmer Market – Part 2 - Food Variety 20 |

- A Fox on the Box of Neighborhood – Critter 15 |

- Waking up after Sleeping for 24,000 years – Part 1 |

- May Drink Coffee Regularly Improve Healthy Heart? - Part 1 - Heart 8

- Herbs Show at Our City Park – Sign 19 | Tanza Erlambang Update

A Wild Watermelon Growing at Yards – Food Variety 33

Nature works nicely and surprisingly where we may see many plants pop up in several places during Spring and Summer seasons.

Fig 01- A wild watermelon

Many people, include my neighbors have their our terms to refer to these kinds of plants, few of the terms are:

- rough plants

- volunteer plants

- seed dispersal plants

A little corner of our house just grown by an unexpected plant which produces a fruit, a watermelon.

Fig 02- Cardinal eating some seeds

In fact, this time around is a watermelon season in our areas.

We believe this “marvelous” was done by birds, since they consume this fruit and its seeds.

Fig 03- Climbing on the pole.

One of birds visits our yard frequently is cardinals. The birds love to eat watermelon and its seed as reported by Birdfact (2023: What Do Cardinals Eat? (Complete Guide)). Cardinals may help germination of plants.

Fig 04- Raccoon kids play around.

Another possible animal to disperse seeds is Raccoon. We have observed this animal in our backyard at a certain time.

Fig 05- A little wild watermelon

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- The Orb Weaver Spider in the Yard – Critter 14

- Demanding of Tofu was Increasing During Covid 19 Pandemic – Part 1 – Food Variety 21 |

- Drinking Problem in the USA – Sign 18 |

- Blooming of Freesia Flowers – Part 1 - Gardening and Hobby 25 |

- Peanuts in the Farmer Market – Part 2 - Food Variety 20 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Could Diabetes Increase Chance to Get Stroke? - Diabetes 31

Both diabetes and stroke cases are increase in the USA in recent years. In stroke cases, as reported by CDC (2022: Stroke Facts) that there is one dies in every 3.5 minutes due to stroke.

Fig 01- Diabetes is one of crucial risk factors for Stroke

(credit to UR Medicine)

The question, Could Diabetes Increase Chance to Get Stroke?

Quick answer is YES. Then why?

It is because blood contain a lot of sugar may lead to damage or make stiff of our blood vessels.

The stiff of blood vessels then could block the flow of blood to spread to other parts of our body.

We might familiar with the words of heart attacks, it is because the blood flows are blocked to reach the heart.

Fig 02 – A little corner, illustration

# Some important postings of diabetes:

- Can Diabetic Ketone-acidosis Lead to Death? - Diabetes 9

- Is there Relationship between Coffee and Type 2 Diabetes? - Diabetes 10

- Could Green Tea Improve Insulin Sensitivity? - Diabetes 11

- Can Blood Sugar Hold at Normal Level Without Medication? - Diabetes 12

Image 3- A garden décor, illustration

Moreover, the stroke is happening when the blood flows are blocked to feed our brain.

In fact, people with type 2 diabetes will have chance 3 times more to get stroke than “normal” people (Rory Scott, 2013: STROKE RISK TRIPLES WITH DIABETES).

Fig 04- The African violet, illustration

Take care!

# Previous postings:

- The Orb Weaver Spider in the Yard – Critter 14

- Demanding of Tofu was Increasing During Covid 19 Pandemic – Part 1 – Food Variety 21 |

- Drinking Problem in the USA – Sign 18 |

- Blooming of Freesia Flowers – Part 1 - Gardening and Hobby 25 |

Blooming of Zinnia Flowers - Gardening and Hobby 32

We failed to grow Zinnia from seeds to flowers last year due to several reasons, one of them was unstable weather condition.

Fig 01- Blooming of Zinnia.

Another reason that we have no experience, just try and fail. We start to grow again Zinnia in the small pots this year, and luckily we success to have beautiful blooming of Zinnia flowers.

There are bout 20 species Zinnias in the world. The flowers native to Mexico, Central America region, and the USA.

Many Zinnia flowers are found in the wild, just few species with hundred of hybrids are grown in the gardens or recreational parks in several countries around the globe.   

Fig 02- A kind of hybrid flower

We grew Zinnia where there were plenty of sun rays. Seeds just few inches below soil in the small pots, it is because light will stimulate seeds to germinate.

After several months, flowers grow and blooming. In our state, Zinnias are blooming around April to May.

Fig 03- Bright color of Zinnia flower

Have you experienced to grow Zinnia flowers?

# Previous postings:

- Cutting the Tree Before Hurricane Coming – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Orb Weaver Spider in the Yard – Critter 14 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Demanding of Tofu was Increasing During Covid 19 Pandemic – Part 1 – Food Variety 21 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Drinking Problem in the USA – Sign 18 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Mockingbird’s Eggs Near my House – Critter 36

We saw a nest a few days ago, then, there are 4 eggs recently. We believe the eggs belong to a Mockingbird.

Fig 01- Four eggs of Mockingbird’s

It is because, Mockingbirds fly around the place sometimes. However, based on GoogleID, the possible birds:

- Mockingbirds

- American Robin

- and Cowbirds

The Mockingbird is also known as Northern Mockingbird with scientific name Mimus polyglottos. The Mockingbird is a resident in our state, where we may see the bird year round.

Fig 02- Magnolia flowers, illustration only

They start to lay eggs from March if temperature quite warmer, and reach peak in April. Number of eggs from 2 to 6 eggs. However, Mockingbirds often have eggs about 3 to 4 eggs.

Fig 03- An entrance of a garden, illustration only

Both male and female guard the nest. They are very aggressive during incubation periods. Female will incubate eggs for about 12 to 13 days. After hatching, the babies need 12 days only to leave their nest.

Fig 04- A mockingbird sitting on the twigs

Have you seen Mockingbird’s eggs in nature?

# Previous postings:

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

- Pug was a Breeding Dog for Royal Families – Critter 13 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Peanuts in the Farmer Market – Part 1 – Food Variety 20 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Cutting the Tree Before Hurricane Coming – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update