The Great Blue Heron in the Pond - Critter 85

If we are lucky enough, we may see the Great Blue Heron in the ponds or wetland areas in our state, Louisiana.

Fig 01 - The Great Blue Heron catching fish.

The majestic wading bird, the Great Blue Heron has some following distinction characters which are :

- the largest heron in North America

- blue gray plumage

- long legs

- bill like dagger and sharp

In addition to the ponds or wetlands, we could find the Great Blue Heron in several other habitats such as lakes, swamps, saltwater and freshwater marshes.

Fig 02 - A vase, illustration

The Great Blue Heron main food sources are wide range, include variety of fish species. We believe, the bird consumes small minnows in the pond.

Fig 03 - Bird walking on the shallow part of pond. 

Have you seen this giant bird in nature?

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The Banana Tree Produces Fruit in Our State - Gardening and Hobby 60

As you might know, our state, Louisiana has warmer temperature, hence some tropical plants grow well. 

Fig 01 - The plant starts to produce fruit

After growing for about four (4) years in the backyard, this is the first time our banana tree made bananas!

Yet, we don't know the taste. One neighbor said his tree produces more delicious, sweeter and good quality bananas, even compared to commercial ones which are sold in the grocery stores around our neighborhood.

The bananas are usually smaller but extremely good. A genuine treat.

Just make sure to break the flower off once they stop making fruit. Otherwise, they won't ripen. They will spend all their energy on the flower.

Fig 02 - Flowers of banana tree. 

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Fig 03 - Flowers, just growing. 

Banana varieties that well known in our areas:

- Dwarf Cavendish banana

- Gran Nain banana

- Brazilian dwarf banana

Fig 04 - Fruit development

Do you familiar with banana tress?

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The Wren's Eggs and Two Babies - Critter 84

At previous post, we talked about female Wren which visited our yard. The fact that the bird was nesting. 

Fig 01 - Eggs of Wren.

You may read the previous posting:

- A Female Wren Visited Our Yards - Critter 79 | Tanza Erlambang Update

We saw at least two eggs in the nest, the number of eggs laying by Wrens depend on their species:

- Caroline Wren, 3 - 7 eggs

- House Wren, 4 to 8 eggs 

The female Wren broods her eggs for 12 to16 days, tenderly guarded, while the male provides nourishment. 

Fig 02 - Wren's babies in the nest.

Finally, after approximately two weeks, the little babies start learning to fly, then they leave the nest.

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The Plumeria Smells Fabulous - Gardening and Hobby 59

Plumeria plants are celebrated for their stunning and fragrant blooms. Native to tropical regions of the Americas, these plants are cherished for their beauty and scent.

Image 01 - Flowers of Plumeria

The most striking aspect of Plumeria flowers is their large, waxy petals, which come in a dazzling array of colors, including:

- white

- pink

- red

- yellow

-  bi-colored.

- and occasionally even multi-colors.

Image 02 - Colorful flowers

Because these plants originate from tropical regions, they are typically cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide.

Image 03 - The plant with flowers.

Do you familiar with the Plumeria flower's scent?

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A Male Downy Woodpecker - Critter 83

In our city, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the Downy Woodpecker is a frequent visitor in any seasons. 

Figure - A Downy Woodpecker

This small, black and white bird is commonly spotted darting around trees (usually dead and dying trees), and shrubs, on the hunt for insects in the city parks, gardens and even in our neighbor backyards.

Both male and female a black and white striped facial pattern and wield a short, sharp bill for pecking into wood to find insects.

The different that male has the bright red patch on the back of its head. 

The Woodpeckers play a crucial role in the local ecosystem by controlling insect populations and creating tree cavities used by other birds and animals for nesting. 

Many people, especially Birdwatchers also enjoy spotting them due to their unique look and agile movements.

Do you know about a Downy Woodpecker?

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The Cypress Vine in the Yard - Gardening and Hobby 58

The Cypress Vines have attractive flowers form that is star shape. They may climb up to 15 feet (around 5 meters).

Figure - Red Cypress vine.

In our area, there is one species only of this vine with scientific name called as Ipomoea quamoclit.

However, by searching through internet that it is said the species only one in the world, but breeding is quite plenty. 

The fact is quite strange for me!

Moreover, Cypress Vine, known for its charming flowers and rapid growth, is a favored annual in many gardens in our areas.

Highly invasive, they should be planted in areas where you don't mind them taking over indefinitely. Every flower produces countless seeds, each sprouting into a new vine.

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The Roseate Spoonbill in the Pond - Critter 82

We are just lucky to see the Roseate Spoonbill in one of several ponds around our neighborhood today. 

Figure - The lonely Roseate Spoonbill

The bird is a master to search its food in the shallow water, since it has a unique spoon-shaped bill.

Roseate Spoonbill primary diets are small aquatic creatures such as:

- fish, like small minnows

- aquatic insects, include dragonfly and beetles.

- some small crustaceans, they are crabs, crayfish and shrimp.

Interestingly, diet of this bird contains both higher nutritious and pigments called carotenoids (contributes to its vibrant pink coloration).

Do you know about bird called Roseate Spoonbill?

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