Pigeons in the Urban Areas – Critter 48

 We saw a couple of pigeons visited our neighborhood recently. We don't know whether they are wild or pets.

Fig 01- A pigeon on the roof

Actually pigeons have adapted to urban areas, hence normal to see them in the city. Urban areas provide foods and shelters to this critter. 

They consume variety of foods such as grains (corns and other seeds), insect and even household's garbage.

Not surprise to see them around food carts, parks, dumpsters and trash cans to find something to consume.

We might see pigeon roosting on the sidewalks, gardens and buildings. They look like to be relatively safe from predators by hiding on the rooftops.

Fig 02- Myrtle flowers, illustration only

Some predators that pigeons have to contend with are owls, hawks, falcons, raccoons, snakes and even cats.

Fig 03- A pigeon at the corner, an urban area

Do you see pigeons in your neighborhood?

# Previous postings:

- Is Tempeh Better than Tofu? - Part 2 – Food Variety 30 | Tanza Erlambang Update 
- The Food Trucks at the Market of a Countryside – Sign 44 | Tanza Erlambang Update 
-A Pollinator of the Black Jack flower – Critter 38 | Tanza Erlambang Update 
-Ripening Wild Tomatoes from Yards - Gardening and Hobby 34 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Even Pharaoh Died due to Virus – Part 2 - Virus 41

You may read the previous part (Part 1):

- Even Pharaoh Died due to Virus – Part 1 - Virus 41 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- The book, written by Ismail Kadare

In modern time or at least since 16^th century, smallpox lead to million dead per year. It was estimated about 500 millions dead in the 20^th century alone.

Smallpox dead toll was very very much higher compared to many wars included World War I and II combined.

Thank you to doctor Edward Jenner for his great work to find smallpox vaccine in England in 1796.

Since then, infection rate and mortality rate decreased dramatically in many countries, especially in Europe and America.

Fig 02- A mask, just illustration

WHO has started the program to vaccine world population since 1950. The organization declared that smallpox eradicated in the world in 1980.

Success history to contain virus though vaccines in the world.

Fig 03- A giant hibiscus, illustration

I really don’t understand why some people still doubt with vaccines. Do you?

# Previous postings:

- Tax Free for International Visitors – Sign 43 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Wild Mushrooms on the Yards - Gardening and Hobby 33 | Tanza Erlambang Update

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

- Is Tempeh Better than Tofu? - Part 2 – Food Variety 30 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The Butterfly Visit Zinnia Flowers – Critter 47

We have talked zinnia flowers, you may read the previous post:

- Blooming of Zinnia Flowers - Gardening and Hobby 32 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- A Swallowtail butterfly on Zinnia

Zinnia flowers are attractive for many pollinators include butterfly, hummingbird and bees.

However, we always see swallowtail butterfly around Zinnia flowers than other pollinators during late Spring to Summer seasons.

The swallowtail butterfly have 560 species worldwide, but seven only in our state, Louisiana, they are: Black Swallowtail, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Polydamas Swallowtail, Pipevine Swallowtail, Spicebush Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail and Zebra Swallowtail.

Fig 02- Zinnia flowers in the garden

The reasons that Swallowtail butterflies love zinnia flowers are:

1) Butterfly easy to spot Zinnias due to their large and bright colors.

2) The flowers have a lot of nectar

3) Zinnias have a long tube-shaped corolla that is excellent for butterflies proboscises.

Fig 03- A butterfly, a visitor to Zinnia

What do you think about Zinnia and butterfly?

# Previous postings:

- Mockingbird’s Eggs Near my House – Critter 36 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Blooming of Zinnia Flowers - Gardening and Hobby 32 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Could Diabetes Increase Chance to Get Stroke? - Diabetes 31 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- A Wild Watermelon Growing at Yards – Food Variety 33 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Tax Free for International Visitors – Sign 43 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Cold Drinks Vendors in the Corners during Summer – Sign 48

The world temperature increase by 1.47* C (2.64* F) in the summer this year. I believe, everybody feels very hot summer.

Fig 01- Italian ice sold by small vendors.

In our state, Louisiana, typical summer is very hot and humid. Humidity makes many uncomfortable.

We may feel hotter, it is because sweat getting harder to evaporate, then our body quite hard to cool down. We will feel hotter than the actual temperature.

In the high humidity, our hair and skin will greasy, it is because humidity prevents the natural oils from evaporating.

It is problems for people with asthma or allergies, because moisture in the air can cause difficulty for breath in.

Fig 02- A vendor selling drinks with ice

We may find cold drinks vendors in the corners during summer, especially in suburban area in our state, Louisiana.

They sold many type of cold drinks include fruit drinks, ice tea, smoothies and many others.

Fig 03- Another vendor (food truck)

Other popular sweet treats during hot summer sold by vendors are shaved ice, snow cones and many other frozen treats.

Fig 04- The sign of lemonade drinks

How about summer in your city or area?

# Previous postings:

- What is Negative Interest Rate Mean? - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Swag as Decoration for Easter – Sign 41 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- A Tradition to Honor Who We Love with a Tree – Sign 42 | Tanza Erlambang Update

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- Mockingbird’s Eggs Near my House – Critter 36 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Barred Owls in our Neighborhoods – Critter 46

Owl is one of predators that visit our neighborhood frequently. It seems that their population is fluctuating. We noticed their number are increasing recently, after almost disappear about 5 years ago.

Fig 01- A barred owl on the roof

Our state, Louisiana hosts for 8 species of owls. At least two species are observed in our neighborhoods, they are: Barred owl, Strix varia and Barnes owl,Tyto alba

The main reason these owls reappear in our areas could be due to re-growing of large and mature trees which provide shelter for them. They love maples, oaks and pines.

Another factor that they attract with plenty of rodents, which are their main prey. Other sources of foods are birds, amphibians, squirrels, rabbits and bats.

Fig 02- A corner of neighborhood

Fig 03- Two barred owls sitting on the line.

How many owls species in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- List of Foods with Low Glycemic Index – Diabetes 30 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Reasons Your Dogs have Eaten Grass – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Drug, Smoke and Alcohol Free Campus – Sign 40 | Tanza Erlambang Update

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- What is Negative Interest Rate Mean? - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Can Mosquitoes be Exterminated on the Earth? - Part 2

You may read the previous post (Part 1):

- Can Mosquitoes be Exterminated on the Earth? - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- A mosquito in action (credit to Google)

The mosquitoes are difficult to be eliminated by traditional methods such as using pesticides, draining in standing water and destroying habitat where mosquitoes are laying their eggs.

Method by using genetic know how was conducted in 2018. This method was initiated by scientists from UK.

The scientists sterile female mosquitoes to reduce their reproduction ability, while males are developing genetic mutation.

Fig 02- The rainbow over an Italian cafe, illustration

Further research then developed by a Chinese scientist with his associates. They treat mosquitoes by doing:

- Sterilized the target areas of female mosquitoes

- Infected the male mosquitoes by bacteria.

Fig 03- A cup cake, illustration

These mosquitoes then be released to the specific locations (two islands).

Surprisingly, female mosquito almost extinct. Mosquito population reduce very much. The population reach to nearly zero.

Fig 04- Magnolia, just for illustration

# Previous postings:

- Homemade Local Pecan Candy - Part 2 - Food Variety 29 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Sign of Lower Inflation – Sign 39 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Even Pharaoh Died due to Virus – Part 1 - Virus 41 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- List of Foods with Low Glycemic Index – Diabetes 30 | Tanza Erlambang Update

A Baby Raccoon on the Corner – Critter 45

We saw a baby raccoon on the corner of a yard at our neighborhood recently, when we are jogging in the morning.

Fig 01- A kit on the corner of a yard

As you know, a baby raccoon is called as a kit, so cute. We worried to approach the baby, then just observe from some distant.

The kit eye looks injured, it might be that she tried to get around in the grass and she irritates her own eyes.

In our areas, baby raccoon are born in the spring, from March to June. After birth, about 2 to 3 months, the babies are weaning from the nest. It is mean that the babies are able to survive without help from their mother.

Unfortunately, we don’t know how old the baby is!

Fig 02- A flower, illustration only

We believe that the baby is not ready yet to live alone without help from her mother, she just wandering while her mother looking for food.

Finally, we call a person with licensed wildlife rehabilitation to rescue this little critter.

Fig 03- Another raccoon, adult one

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- Can Mosquitoes be Exterminated on the Earth? - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

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

- The Differences between Pink and Regular Salts - Part 2 - Food Variety 28 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Bengal is a Cross Breeding Cat – Critter 35 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Homemade Local Pecan Candy - Part 2 - Food Variety 29 | Tanza Erlambang Update