A Pollinator of the Black Jack flower – Critter 38

A couple years ago, I saw blooming of Black Jack flower on the river banks of our neighborhood.

Image 1- A common pollinator of the Black Jack flower

In addition to Black Jack, the flower with scientific name Bidens pilosa, has many common names such as cobblers pegs, hitch hikers, farmer's friends, Spanish needle and Beggarticks.

Unfortunately, It seems the flowers disappeared from the river banks for this year, luckily, we have observed in our neighborhood. They are planted as a home garden flower.

Interestingly, we may find this flower blooming in many tropical and subtropical countries around the world, spreading from its origin areas of South America.

Image 2- Wild Black Jack flowers

There are plenty of pollinators for Black Jack flowers, some of major pollinators Bees, Butterflies, Moth and Syrphid (Diptera).

Based on GoogleID, The pollinator on image 1 and image 3 is Bumbblebee. It is powerful pollinator for many plants.

Image 3- A pollinator on the Black Jack flower

Have you seen Black Jack flowers in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- Do You Know that Your Cat Love you? - Part 1 - Critter 20

- The Fiber Art in Our Community – Sign 23 | Tanza Erlambang

- May Yogurt Reduce Risk of Heart Diseases? - Part 2 – Heart 11

- A Gator in the Neighborhood’s Lake – Critter 21 | Tanza Erlambang

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

The Food Trucks at the Market of a Countryside – Sign 44

We stop by at a market of a countryside when lunchtime. We saw several food trucks sell variety of foods, local and international flavors.

Fig 01- The food truck at the market of a countryside

There was a big sign “Big J’s, Country Cajun Cooking” at one of trucks. Since there is a word “Cajun.” hence we assumes that the trucks sell local Louisiana foods.

Some of favorite traditional Cajun dishes are:

- Jambalaya

- Gumbo

- Baudin Sausage

- Wild duck, Alligator, Boiled crawfish and Pecan pie

Fig 02- One of food sold by Food Truck, Nachos

We love to consume Jambalaya and Gumbo. In case you don’t know, Jambalaya is a rice base dish, sure, with specific Louisiana taste. Gumbo is a kind of soup with a little portion of rice in its.

Fig 03- A food truck and residents

Yes, Louisiana people consume rice, and Louisiana is one of states produce rice in America.

Unfortunately, we can’t find “cajun dishes” instead of other foods such as Nachos and burgers.

Fig 04- Consumers waiting their orders

Do you like food trucks?

# Previous postings:

- Jersey Giant Roosters Look Like Hens – Critter 19

- Why are These Types of Foods Stolen? - Part 1 – Food Variety 23

- Halloween Wreath Business in Neighborhood – Sign 22

- Have You Tasted Pistachio Muffins? - Part 2 – Food Variety 22

- Do You Know that Your Cat Love you? - Part 1 - Critter 20

Is Tempeh Better than Tofu? - Part 2 – Food Variety 30

Like tofu, tempeh is also a good source of minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Fig 01- Thick slices of Tempeh

As you might know that these minerals are important to our body to have normal function and maintain our health.

Tempeh has contained a little higher in calories with about 160 in half a cup, which makes it perfect for a quick protein and caloric boost!

We hate to say it, as we love both tofu and tempeh, but tempeh is the winner of this health food match-up.

That’s not to say we’ll be cutting tofu anytime soon, though—it’s wonderfully (and arguably more) versatile and so delicious!

Fig 02- Tempe as snacks, favorite in many developing countries

But if you’re looking for a health boost, tempeh is definitely the better option.

Which soybean product do you prefer? Tofu or tempeh? Share with us your favorite recipes!

Fig 03- Tempeh are wrapped with banana’s leaf.

# Previous postings:

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

- May Yogurt Reduce Risk of Heart Diseases? - Part 1 – Heart 11 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- From Caterpillar to Monarch Butterfly – Critter 18 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- May Drink Coffee Regularly Improve Healthy Heart? - Part 2 - Heart 8 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Jersey Giant Roosters Look Like Hens – Critter 19 | Tanza Erlambang Update

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