Mexican Petunia is a Beautiful Flower Tolerates to Heat - Gardening and Hobby 41

In addition to heat, Mexican Petunia tolerates to drought and poor soil. This plant is ornamental perennial, commonly grown in the corner of yards or gardens. Ruellia simplex is its scientific name.

Fig 01- Th beautiful flowers of Mexican Petunia

The flowers come from Latin America then spread to all over the world. It is good to attract pollinators, that are hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.

Mexican Petunia has several colors, just examples are pink, white, purple and blue. We saw purple is the dominant color in our areas.

Blooming is quite long, from Spring to Fall, so we may observe the Mexican Petunia flowers in the hot summer. They make gardens look beautiful.

Interestingly, the flowers are much prettier in the morning. However, they are hardy plants and spread like wildfire. They could be all over in our backyard.

Fig 02- The plant looks like weed.

Yes, the Mexican Petunia plants are very invasive. It is suggested to keep them in a pot, if we find the plats in our yards.

Fig 03- The Mexican Petunia grows in the pot.

In many countries, the Mexican Petunia outcompete local (native) plants, then disrupt ecosystem. We should aware the risk to plant them in our areas.

Fig 04- The plant grows in the corner of garden.

Do you know about the Mexican Petunia plant?

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We Found a Falcon with Anklets on her Feet - Critter 50

We saw a falcon at the yard, unfortunately she can't fly. After approaching the bird, we saw anklets on her feet. 

Why is this bird wearing anklets?

Fig 01- A falcon with anklets on her feet

Wildlife rehabilitators and Falconers use anklets on bird's feet to prevent falcons to chase certain preys in which they shouldn't do that. 

Other reasons that to make falcons safe, to keep them from getting lost and to prevent them from flying away.

Some wildlife rehabilitators have attached the anklets with bells or radio transmitters. The bells will ring, so rehabilitators to hear and know the bird whereabout. 

In case of radio transmitters, wildlife rehabilitators or falconers could use it to track location of the bird.

Fig 02- The falcon just looks calm.

The bird can't fly; it is because of some possibilities that are incorrect anklets (too tight, too loose or too heavy), and the falcon could be sick or injured. She might be not able to fly even without anklets.

Fig 03- The bird standing at the corner.

Finally, we called the nearby wildlife rehabilitator to take care the bird.

Fig 04- The falcon was ready to meet her master.

Have you seen a bird with anklets?

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Check Temperature Before Allowing Pets Walk Outside - Sign 49

We saw the useful sign for pet owners at our neighborhood a couple days ago. This sign as a kind of guidance to check air temperature before let the pets play outside or walk on the asphalt.

Fig 01- A sign of relationship between hot of temperature and asphalt

As you see at above sign (Fig 01), there is relationship between air temperature and asphalt temperature.

Just 3 examples (please above sign):

- if air temperature is 77* F (25* C), then asphalt temperature is 125* F (51.5* C).

- if air temperature is 86* F (30* C), then asphalt temperature is 135* F (57.2* C).

- if air temperature is 87* F (30.1* C), then asphalt temperature is 143* F (61.7 C).

Yes, pets (cats and dogs) have paw pads with thick and though skin. However, if pets walk on the hot asphalt too long, their paws can still be burned.

Fig 02- A cat, just for illustration

Some symptoms of paw burning are swelling, redness, pain and limping. Then we may see the pets licking or chewing their paws. 

So, we need to avoid walking our pet on very hot asphalt or hard surfaces, and even we should not let our pets play outside during hot weather.

Fig 03- A dog walking on the asphalt

What do you think?

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Drought Tolerant Plants that Survive of Heat Waves - Gardening and Hobby 40

 As of previous post, the dead of birds is common during higher temperatures, especially in Southern states of America:
- Dead of Bird during Higher Temperature - Critter 49 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- The Yaupon Holy Plant during spring times

Like animals, many plants can't tolerate to heat waves too, just for examples are ferns, roses, hostas and azalea. 

Some reasons plants dead of higher temperatures:

1) If temperatures higher, plants will experience temperature stress. The heat stress could damage cells and tissues, then lead to die.

2) Thin leaves plants such as yucca, snake plants, spider plants and Aloe vera in which their leaves could be sunburned in hot summer days. Then, their leaves would turn brown. Eventually, the plants could die.

Fig 02- Yaupon in the summer times, drought tolerant

3) During hot temperatures, plants tend to lose much more water than they able to replace, then this could cause to dehydration, and highly possibly lead to death.

Fig 03- Gaura, a drought tolerant plant

Sure, there are plenty of Drought Tolerant Plants that Survive of Heat Waves. We observed at least three of them; the Yaupon Holy Plant, Gaura and the American beauty berries.

Fig 04- The American beauty berries, drought tolerant

Do you now the drought tolerant plants that survive higher temperature in your areas?

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Some Flowers on the Corner - Gardening and Hobby 39

The Fuchsia is one of my favorite flowers. Because of its beauty and easy to take care, this flower to be popular choice for small gardens or be placed on the corner.

Fig 01- A beautiful Fuchsia on the corner

There are about 100 species with 12,000 varieties of Fuchsia in the world. They mainly come from or native to Latin America.

Fuchsia could be basic colors, bicolored and tricolored. The basic colors are purple, pink, red, white, blue, orange and yellow.

Just for examples of Fuchsia with bicolor and tricolors are Butterfly Kisses, Candy Cane, Lady Thumbelina, Pink Delight and Blue Angel.

In our state, Louisiana, we have some popular Fuchsia such as Fuchsia hybrida, Fuchsia riccartonii and Fuchsia magellanica.

Fig 02- A Common daisy, illustration

We love to have Fuchsia hybrida because it has plenty of colors include red, white, yellow, purple and pink.

Fig 03- Tagetes erecta, illustration only

Interestingly. Fuchsia flowers have long blooming time. In our city, Baton Rouge, the blooming season could be 5 to 6 months, from Spring to Fall.

Fig 04- Lantana flowers, illustration only

 Do you recognize Fuchsia flowers?

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Dead of Bird during Higher Temperature - Critter 49

We saw two dead birds; one on the grass, and another one on the asphalt at our neighborhood when we were jogging several days ago. We believed that the birds are the Mississippi Kites. 

Fig 01- The dead bird on the grass.

The Mississippi kite with scientific name, (Ictinia mississippiensis), has declined of its population in the last few decades.

It is because its habitats include savannahs, rangelands and woodlands have been converted to development and agriculture.

In case of heat wave, our local newspaper, The Advocate just reported that more than 200 birds were dead in our city, Baton Rouge, August 9, 2023.

The variety of birds includes warblers and sparrows were found dead in the parking lots, driveways and city parks.

Fig 02- The dead bird on the asphalt

The bird's death is caused by heat wave in the city during the summertime. Birds got heatstroke because their body has difficulty to regulate higher temperature and higher humidity.

Fig 03- Two birds, on the grass and asphalt

Did your city experience with heat wave during summertime?

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JJ

A Simple Fairy Garden - Gardening and Hobby 38

 As you know, the concept of fairy garden is to decorate a mini garden with flowers, plants, little statues and mini accessories in order to bring fairies world at our yards.

Fig 01- A little fairy world

There is no rule to design a fairy garden, just need to be creative and  have fun with wild imagination.

The plants or flowers should be low maintenance and small size, some of them are miniature roses, succulents and air plants. Then, the natural materials will have realistic impact on the fairy world.

Some materials which are used by my neighbors are: A small container or pot with drainage holes, miniature decorations (a fairy house, mini table and chairs, and a fence) and pebbles or glass marbles.

Fig 02- Flowers in the small pot

My neighbors place their fairy garden in the spot where they can enjoy it, either outdoors or indoors. It is just needing a little attention or care to joy it for years.

Fig 03- A fairy garden in the corner

Have you designed a fairy garden?

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