The Painted Bunting Visited our Neighborhood – Critter 41

We have posted about Indigo Bunting which appeared on our feeder at daylight:

- An Indigo Bunting was Seen on Feeder – Critter 37 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- A Painted Bunting.

In fact, there are about 50 species birds called as “Bunting.” These seed- eating birds may be found worldwide.

Three quite well known Bunting species in the North America are:

- Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)

- Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena)

- Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris)

Both Indigo and Painted Buntings are rare to see, and their population are decreasing day by day.

Fig 02- The food for songbirds, include Buntings

We just saw them and hear their voices from far away sometimes, few neighbors observed them “close enough” recently.

Even, their distribution is not to all states of the USA, we may find Painted Indigo in these states: Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kansas, Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma.

Fig 03- An Indigo Bunting, a previous photo

Have you observed both Painted Bunting and Indigo Bunting in nature?

# Previous postings:

- The Yaupon Holly Plants Produce Attractive Berries – Sign 28 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Have you Tasted Tamarind Fruit or Juice? - Part 1 - Food Variety 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- We Spotted Coyote in Our Neighborhood – Critter 28 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- How Could Scientists Cure AIDS Patients? - Part 1 – Virus 40 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The 24 Hour Emergency Service - Sign 29 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Have You Ever Tasted a Paria? - Part 2 - Food Variety 31

You may read the previous post (Part 1):

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

Fig 01- Length of 3 “paria” in a plate

I read from several literature, this kind of vegetable is easy to grow in hot and humid areas.

Then, it is possible to grow “paria” during summer in American southern. After sowing the seed, we could harvest “paria” in 60 days.

Eating cooked or boiled “paria” could improve our appetite. It also has good nutritional values.

Just some of the nutritional benefits in the bitter gourd are: dietary fiber, protein, variety of minerals and vitamins.

Fig 02- The bitter gourd in the Asian Shop

Many people in Asian countries such as Japan, Korea and China used “paria” to cure several diseases.

Fig 03- The bitter gourd, sold in Walmart

Have you seen a “paria” (bitter gourd) in the market in your country or anywhere else?

# Previous postings:

- Storing Firearms Securely to Prevent Suicide – Sign 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Do you Want to Have Forever Puppies? - Part 1 – Critter 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Bell-Shaped Flowers of Alligator Plants - Gardening and Hobby 28 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Have You ever Tasted Banana Pepper? - Part 1 - Food Variety 26 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Yaupon Holly Plants Produce Attractive Berries – Sign 28 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The Peggy Martin Rose in New Orleans – Sign 46

We posted about rose colors in the garden, and meaning of these colors. You may read the previous posted: Roses in the Late Summer - Gardening and hobby 4 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- A sign to honor Peggy Martin

There are about 150 rose flowers species live wildly in the world, and they have distributed in many countries include in Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia and America regions (Continents).

As reported by Nancy Maffia (2023: Different Types of Roses: How to Identify and Care for Them) that the number of cultivated roses varieties might be surprising you.

Can you guess “the number of cultivated roses varieties?”

30,000 varieties of cultivated roses worldwide!

Fig 02- The Peggy Martin Rose

A few days ago, we saw a sign:”The Peggy Martin Rose” to honor Peggy Martin who cultivated the rose.

Fig 03- Roses of Peggy Martin

The rose is believed came from France hundred years ago. Peggy Martin then has preserved this type of rose.

Fig 04- A sign and roses at the city garden

Do you love roses? What type or color?

# Previous postings:

- Are Red Silkies a Rare Breed Chicken? - Critter 25

- A Flower Called Cat’s Ear Dandelion – Part 2 - Gardening and Hobby 26

- A Domestic Bunny as a Pet at Home – Critter 26

- Why does Oil Price Go Negative in the Market? - Part 2

- Storing Firearms Securely to Prevent Suicide – Sign 27

The Guinea Pig as a Favorite Pet – Critter 40

I knew the Guinea Pigs are “extensively” use for research purposes, especially in the medical field.

Fig 01- Two Guinea pigs at a pet shop

Researchers who develop knew human medicines need Guinea pigs for their tissues, organs (intestines and lungs) and blood components as part of scientific experiments in the lab.

What surprising me that the Guinea pig is one of Favorite pets in American households.

May you guess the top one?

Yes, you might be true, about 66% (65.1 million) of American households have dogs as their favorite pet.

Fig 02- A food truck, just for illustration

Number of households have a Guinea Pig as a pet is about 1.5 million families in the America. Here top five animals as pets:

1. Dogs

2. Cats

3. Birds

4. Fish

5. Guinea pigs

Fig 03- Guinea pigs, father and son

Do you have pets? What kind of animals as your pets?

# Previous postings:

- Hibiscus Blooming in December - Gardening and Hobby 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Fresh Mango in the US Market – Part 2 - Food Variety 25 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- A Small Vendor for Christmas Gifts – Sign 26 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Hay Stacks in the Small Farmer Market – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Are Red Silkies a Rare Breed Chicken? - Critter 25 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Possibility Crab Shells to Replace Lithium

I believe all of us familiar with, and even use Lithium battery in our daily life. Just few examples of products which are using Lithium Ion battery are Tablets, Cell phones, Laptops and Portable drills.

Fig 01- Crabs, sold at a grocery store

At least, there are three advantages of Lithium Ion batteries compared to traditional ones:

- last longer

- higher power densities

- and charge faster.

However, Lithium batteries contain toxic metals (nickel, manganese, cobalt), hence, have negative impact on environments. Even worse compared to fossil fuels in terms of productions or mining.

Fig 02- Lithium battery, sold in Walmart

As reported by Prachi Patel in Daily Science (2022: New biodegradable, recyclable battery is made of crab shells) that scientists have created new material from crab shells and combines with zinc to replace Lithium.

The advantages of batteries from this new material are:

- lower cost

- live longer

- environmental friendly due to recyclable or biodegradable

Fig 03- Source of shells for Lithium

What do you think?

# Important posts:

- Injured Hawk on the Yard – Critter 24 | Tanza

- Why does Oil Price Go Negative in the Market? - Part 1

- Public Education from the Rose Society – Sign 25

- Do You Know that Your Cat Love you? - Part 2 - Critter 20

- Hibiscus Blooming in December - Gardening and Hobby 27 | Tanza Erlambang

The Tamale is a Typical Mexican Dish – Part 1 – Food Variety 34

We “wrongly” called “Mexican foods” for traditional Mesoamericans or Latin American dishes. The reason, may be just for “simplicity.”

Fig 01- The Tamales, wrapped in banana leaves.

There are plenty of Mexican foods sold commercially in the USA. You probably know or ever consume some of them:

- Tamale

- Tacos

- Tostadas

- Chiles en nogada

- Enchiladas

- Nachos

Fig 02- A little building, Just for illustration

One of my favorites is a Tamale. The way its cook is interesting for me, it is steamed with wrapping.

The “material” for wrapping is taken from nature, it could be one of these natural materials:

- banana leaf

- corn husk

Fig 03 – Another type of Tamale, wrapped with corn husk

# To be continued to Part 2

# Previous postings:

- Injured Hawk on the Yard – Critter 24 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Why does Oil Price Go Negative in the Market? - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Public Education from the Rose Society – Sign 25 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Do You Know that Your Cat Love you? - Part 2 - Critter 20 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Hibiscus Blooming in December - Gardening and Hobby 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Irradiated Mangoes in the USA – Sign 45

We saw for the first time the word “Irradiated” was stuck on a mango, sold at the Mexican store recently. Then, we try to find out what the meaning is, and who put the sticker.

Fig 01- An irradiate mango from Mexico

Just to remind, we have previous postings about mangoes:

- Fresh Mangoes in the US Market – Part 1 - Food Variety 25 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Fresh Mango in the US Market – Part 2 - Food Variety 25 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Moreover, all mangoes must be “irradiated” if they want to be exported to the USA markets. The main purpose is to make sure that pests such as fruit flies not cross to American border.

Fig 02- Irradiated mangoes at the Mexican store

Two methods of treatments to get rid of pest from mangoes:

1) Using hot water

2) Using irradiation treatments

Fig 03- Mango Criollo (Creole)

Co-60 gamma rays are used to irradiate mangoes. Larvae are prevented to be further develop as adults.

As reported by Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2023: Food Irradiation) that “food irradiation is safe.”

Fig 04- Mangoes, ready to consume

Have you tasted irradiated mangoes?

# Previous postings:

- Is America still Nation Producing Cotton? | Tanza

- Hay Stacks in the Small Farmer Market – Part 1

- Duskywings Butterfly in the Southern States – Critter 23 | Tanza Erlambang

- A Flower Called Cat’s Ear Dandelion – Part 1 - Gardening and Hobby 26

- Injured Hawk on the Yard – Critter 24 | Tanza