The Lightscape Design - Gardening and Hobby 42

Monday, August 28, 2023
I am not so familiar with the words of "The Lightscape Design," then try to find out from several resources.


Fig 01- Light around trees as part of the lightscape design

It is kind of art in using of lighting to enhance the landscape in terms of the beauty and functionality.

Lightscape design can be used to highlight such inviting space, sense of atmosphere and architectural features.

As inviting space, lighting may highlight patios, walkways and other areas like area people together.

An example of a sense of atmosphere that soft and diffused light can create a relaxing and romantic atmosphere. 


Fig 02- Lightscape in the architecture.

By highlighting arches, columns, arches and other architectural elements with spotlights, then we use light to highlight features of architectures.


Fig 03- Lightscape of the architecture and yard.

Do you like to play with lights?

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Don’t Give Money to People in the Roadway - Sign 50

Saturday, August 26, 2023
We have seen the signs "Don’t Give Money to Persons in the Roadway" in some exit of interstates or road junctions around our city.


Fig 01- Sign of don't give to persons.

The sign could be mean that "they are panhandling for money, to buy more drugs." so, don’t be a part of their problem.

We used to give money because we didn't understand then when we realized what we were doing we started giving water bottles and baggies of small items.

We got rude comments from many panhandlers. So now we don't give anything but it's hard to sit there and ignore them now.

Actually, there are organizations that give care packages of food out and would you like to know what happens to a large portion of them?


Fig 02 - A beggar on the street

Sadly, the packages of food end up wasted on the side of the road or abandoned properties. The food that is given out is almost 100% not consumed.


Fig 03 - Hibiscus flowers, illustration only

What do you think?

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The Reasons Your Dogs have Eaten Grass – Part 2

Thursday, August 24, 2023


Fig 01- A dog on the grass, waiting for something.

Several methods (based on several resources) to prevent dogs to eat grass are:

1) If dogs bored, the owners should let dogs getting some exercises and interactive games.


2) If dog faced with nutritional deficiency, then owners might give dogs with good quality foods such a higher fiber food.


3) Be careful that many yards use toxic substances (herbicides or pesticides) to maintain green grasses. If dog owners are quite not sure whether the grass contain poison or not, just avoid it. 



Fig 02- Grass, just for illustration



Fig 03- A cute dog, play on the grass


Do you have dogs as pets? Did you see your dog is eating grass?


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

Tuesday, August 22, 2023
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

Sunday, August 20, 2023
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

Friday, August 18, 2023
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

Tuesday, August 15, 2023
 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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