We Have Observed a House Finch at Neighborhood - Critter 66

After "freezing" temperature for a while, we start to see several kinds of birds visit feeders of our neighborhood.  

Fig 01 - A house finch on the top of feeder. 

One of birds is a house finch with scientific name, Haemorhous mexicanus. Then, the bird is identified by helping of GoogleID app. It is a common bird in America, especially in North America. 

The bird is a cheerful songbird. The sound like whistles and twitters. The rapid melody makes more cheerful of the day. Surprisingly, this bird can sing around 2,000 (two thousand) songs per day.

In our city, Baton Rouge, LA, we may observe the house finch in small flocks, since they are social birds. 

Fig 02 - Golden leaves, just illustration

# Postings about birds:

- The Female Kinglet at the Backyard – Critter 34 | Tanza Erlambang Update

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

Fig 03 - The bird eating on the feeder.

The house finch lives in the variety areas such as:

- parks

- woodlands

- open areas

- and even backyards

Fig 04 - Golden leaves, taken from other positions.

This bird comes to feeder to finds seeds. Sunflowers and millet are favorite seeds for house finches.

Fig 05 - Candlesticks plant with flowers

In respect to seeds, unbelievable that a house finch could consume 1,000 (one thousand) sunflower seeds per day.

Fig 06 - A house finch on the feeder.

Do you recognize a house finch?

## Previous postings:

- Roaming Guinea Fowls in Neighborhood - Part 2 - Critter 52 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Beauty of Budgerigar Bird - Critter 55 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- A Bank Robber out of Bullet$ - Sign 53 | Tanza Erlambang Update

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Gardens by the Bay in Singapore - Sign 65

Even though a small country, Singapore has several hundreds of gardens, including community gardens, bigger and just small green spaces. 

Fig 01 - The garden by the bay, Singapore

In respect to well known for visitors, we might say there are several kinds of gardens such as Botanical gardens, Themes Gardens and Indoor Garden. 

The indoor garden, Jewel Garden locates at Changi international airport with two main sections: forest and canopy parks. 

We may observe no less than 3,000 (three thousand) tress and 60,000 (sixty thousand) shrubs. The 120 species of trees and shrubs are collection from around the globe. Since the indoor temperature is controlled, we could observe plants from both tropical and temperate zones grow very well.

Fig 02 - A corner of the garden

# Some important postings:

- A Sign with 4 Languages in Singapore - Sign 63 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Day Lily in the Our City Garden – Part 1 - Gardening and Hobby 45 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 03 - An art structure, Singapore. 

Two theme gardens in Singapore, they are:

- Japanese garden

- Chinese garden   

Fig 04 - A entrance of indoor garden. 

In the Chinese garden, we may explore pavilions, waterfall and landscape gardens within the context of Chinese cultures.

Fig 05 - An art structure, Singapore. 

We could discover Japanese traditional items such as a tea house, koi ponds and Zen gardens in the Japanese theme garden, Singapore. 

Fig 06 - An art structure, another angle. 

As of Fig 01 at above is the sign for the garden by the bay, Singapore. I think this garden is huge garden in term of number of plants.

Fig 07 - A corner of Gardens by the Bay.

Gardens by the Bay has more than 1.5 million plants with about 5,000 (five thousand) species from all the world.

Fig 08 - Visitors in one of gardens

Fantastic in respect to number and variety of species. The plants come from 5 continent: Europe, America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

Fig 09 - Part of the Jewel garden, Singapore

Just to let you know, the number of visitors is about 9 million people per year to Gardens by the Bay, local and international visitors.

Fig 10 - Cafe in the Jewel garden.

Have you visited one of gardens in Singapore?

## Previous postings:

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- Whale Shark is Observed after Disappearing for 100 years | Tanza Erlambang Update

- What Indexes should be Considered to Find Retirement Countries? - part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Why Sugary Drinks Cause of Heart Diseases? – Heart 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The Blue Jay in the City Park - Critter 65

We may spot the Blue Jay year-round in our areas, sure, they are abundant during Spring and Summer seasons.

Fig 01 - A Blue Jay on the top of tree.

We have posted the Blue Jay babies previously:

- The Blue Jay Babies in the Nature - Critter 59 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The birds, actually, common birds, since we may spot them everywhere in our areas or city such as:

- city parks and gardens

- our neighborhood or backyards.

- woodland and swamp areas.

- and even in the open areas.

Fig 02 - A bridge, just for illustration.

Surprisingly, there is one species only of Blue Jay in our city, Baton Rouge LA with scientific name is Cyanocitta cristata. 

Fig 03 - A Blue Jay as visitor at backyard. 

# Important postings:

- A Colorful Love Bird - Critter 54 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Barred Owl just Visit our Fence - Critter 51 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 04 - Plants, just for illustration. 

Seeds could attract the Blue Jay to come to birdfeeder, since the seeds are its primary food source. 

Fig 05 - Peanuts, illustration only

The birds love to consume wide variety of seeds, some of them are sunflowers seed, peanut (shelled and unshelled) and pecans.

Fig 06 - A nest of bird, illustration only.

in addition to seeds, the birds also eat fruit and insects. Some reports say, Blue Jay even consume small vertebrates. 

Fig 07 - A lonely Blue Jay.

Do you recognize Blue Jay in the nature?

## Previous postings:

- Are Cage Free Eggs Healthier than Regular Ones? - Part 2 – Food Variety 32 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Don’t Give Money to People in the Roadway - Sign 50 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Reasons Your Dogs have Eaten Grass – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Why Ancient Egyptian Mummified Million Birds? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Why We are not be Rich Persons? | Tanza Erlambang Update

Repairs for Small Engines - Sign 64

We start to cut our grass about the end of February or early March every year, since the temperature getting higher, and grass grow well on that time. 

Fig 01 - A sign of small engines service.

In case you ignore, forget or don't know that small engines are all engines less than horsepower (hp) and often the single cylinder engines. 

Almost all households have one type of small engines. Some of popular small engines in our neighborhood are:

- a lawn mower

- a generator

- a pressure washer

- pumps and power tools.

Fig 02 - A generator, the small engine.

# Important postings:

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

- Blooming of Starfish Cactus - Gardening and Hobby 29 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 03 - The garage for repairment 

This time around, we will check whether our "small engine," a lawn mower is ready before the Spring season arrives.

Fig 04 - A lawn mower, ready to work. 

We may do maintenance by ourselves. The maintenances include clean dirty air filter, oil and filter changes, and blade sharpening.

Fig 05 - Part of garages for repairment.

We will go to a repairman if we get specific issue such as power loss. This issue might relate to carburetor, fuel system and ignition system. 

Fig 06 - Flower bed, illustration only.

We have no knowledge to fix this issue. So, we need help from a professional mechanic.

Fig 07 - Small engines in the garage.

What kinds of small engines do you have?

## Previous postings:

- Blooming of Fuchsia Four O'clock Flowers - Gardening and Hobby 44 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- A Colorful Love Bird - Critter 54 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Reasons Your Dogs have Eaten Grass – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- How does Insulin Work in our Body? - Diabetes 14 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Why Ancient Egyptian Mummified Million Birds? | Tanza Erlambang Update

Pickle Eggs Sold in the Farmer Market - Part 2 - Food Variety 36

You may read the previous post about pickle eggs:

- Pickle Eggs Sold in the Farmer Market - Part 1 - Food Variety 36 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01 - The pickle eggs in the jar at farmer market

Sure, pickle eggs less salty compared to salted eggs. The important points that they taste like pickle, and they are probiotic.

What are the benefits of probiotic foods?

Probiotic foods are sources of “good microorganisms” to help our body:

- to work well and healthier.

- to fight bad microorganisms

- to make us feeling better.

- boost immunity

Fig 02 - A corner, illustration only.

Most fermented foods contain good microorganisms (probiotics). You may see the list of probitic foods, written by Christine Mikstas (published in WebMed, June 25, 2020).

Fig 03 - A jar with sign of pickle eggs

Some examples of probiotic foods you might know are:

- pickles

- tempeh

- yogurt

- kimchi

- sourdough bread

- some cheeses

- kefir

- miso soup

Fig 04 - Plants, just for illustration.

Since pickle eggs went through fermentation process, they are one of probiotic foods. Source of good microorganism, and useful for health, especially to balance gut flora.

Fig 05 - Quail eggs, ready to make pickle.

Have you tried pickle eggs?

Do you like chicken or quail eggs?

# Previous postings:

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

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

- The Female Kinglet at the Backyard – Critter 34 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- What Cities are Easy to Get Mortgage? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- How does Insulin Work in our Body? - Diabetes 14 | Tanza Erlambang Update

A Sign with 4 Languages in Singapore - Sign 63

 As you might know that Singapore is a small Island, a modern country, locates in the South East Asian region. 

Fig 01 - A sign with 4 languages

The country has multi-ethnic citizens. The four main societies are: 

- Chinese

- Eurasian

- Indian 

- and Malay.

No surprise, important signs will use language from these 4 main societies. As of Fig 01 at above, a sign of dangerous of electricity (voltage or current) is written in English, Chinese, Indian and Malay.   

Fig 02 - Sign used in front of toilets.

4 communities enrich Singapore languages, culture, religions, traditions and even cuisines.

Fig 03 - Plants at a corner, Singapore.

Almost all Singaporean speaks English, since its official language for administration and business.

Fig 04 - A sign in public area, Singapore.

Ability of Singaporeans to speak multiple languages lead them to have advantages in the world stage.

Fig 05 - A sign in multiple languages.

Have you been in Singapore?

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The Black-bellied Whistling Duck on the Roof - Critter 64

We heard it whistling on the roof recently. We have never heard the sound or seen the physical critter or anything like that before.

Fig 01 - The duck on the roof

The size of this critter a larger than birds which visited our neighborhood frequently. Its size about 19 inches (48.3 cm) long.

We believed that it is a kind of wild duck or wild goose. Then, the GoogleID suggested the critter is the Black-bellied whistling duck. Some of our neighbors called it as a Mexican Whistler Duck or the Squealers.

This duck has scientific name as Dendrocygna autumnalis. The duck is native to Americas (North and Latin America). In the USA, we may find this duck in the states such as Florida, Louisiana and Texas.

Fig 02 - Neighborhood, illustration only.

In the Latin America, this duck lives in the countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Paraguay, Honduras and Argentina.

Fig 03 - The black-bellied whistling duck.

In recent years, we saw the ducks have become more and more prevalent in our state, Louisiana. They might migrate from other states or countries.

Fig 04 - Sky at night, illustration.

They raid nests in trees, and we may observe the Black-bellied whistling ducks in the areas such as grassland, savannah and wetlands.

Fig 05 - Whistling from roof top.

Have you seen this kind of duck in nature?

# Previous postings:

- What Effect of Diversity Patrons on the Arts in the 15th-18th centuries? - part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- What is the Meaning of Cheaper Cities in the USA? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Some American Customs are not Apply in Other Countries – part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Can Blood Sugar Hold at Normal Level Without Medication? - Diabetes 12 | Tanza Erlambang Update

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