The Roseate Spoonbill in the Pond - Critter 82

Tuesday, October 29, 2024
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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The Funny Halloween Decoration - Sign 77

Friday, October 25, 2024
When Halloween coming, we just love to observe our neighborhood decorations. Sure, there are variety of decorations


Fig - Waiting till be skull. 

There are several purposes of Halloween decorations, either functional or aesthetic or even just for self-entertainment.

The above image shows a Halloween decoration of two skeletons sitting on a bench, wearing football helmets and holding beer mugs. 

Interestingly, the skeletons are wearing Cowboys hats and jerseys, and there is a sign in front of them that says "Waiting Till The Cowboys Win The Superbowl." 

Cowboys is a football team: The Dallas Cowboys. This team won Superbowl championship 5 times:
- in 1971
- 1977
- 1992
- 1993
- and 1995

Since the last Dallas Cowboys won Superbowl was about 30 years ago, it is impossible to win now and even near future.  

What do you think?

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A Hawk Perched on the Cable - Critter 81

Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Some of us might be familiar to see a hawk or birds perching on the trees, rocks and electric cables. 


Fig - A hawk perching and looking surround. 

For me, catching sight of a hawk perched on the electric wire is a wonderful and magical moment. It is a kind of reminder of how all living things are connected and the incredible diversity of nature.

Moreover, there are several purposes of hawk perching on cable:
1) Resting point:
- cable could be secure place for resting

2) Hunting point:
- Hawk able to view surrounding areas to spot preys such as bunny, rodents and other small animals.

3) Spotting other source of foods
- A hawk may interest on garbage or discarded foods near neighborhood.

What do you think?

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Blooming of Indoors Orchids - Gardening and Hobby 57

Saturday, October 19, 2024
 Orchids are well known flowers that come from warmer regions such as: Southeast Asia, Latin America and even Africa. 


Fig 01 - The white orchids 

Some countries produce beautiful orchids are:
- Southeast Asian countries include Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippine.
- African country, Madagascar.
- Latin America countries such as Colombia, Ecuador and Panama. 

People love tropical orchids with many reasons among of them are:
exotic fragrances
vibrant colors
- and intricate shapes


Fig 02 - Tree colors of flowers

There are around 800 genera of tropical orchids in the world. The popular genera in our areas are Dendrobium, Cattleya and Vanda. 


Fig 03 - The orchid in the glass jar.

Dendrobium genus is one of our favorite orchids, because it offers very attractive colors and shapes.


Fig 04 - Colorful flower. 

Do you love orchid? 

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The Goose Poop on the Walking Path - Critter 80

Monday, October 14, 2024
There is a family of geese lives permanently around our neighborhood retention pond. Others come and go.


Fig 01- Wild Geese.

Unfortunately, these geese will only do "their business" on the sidewalk close to the retention pond.

It requires an excellent hop- scotched to not come home with "something extra" (goose poop) on your shoes.

Sort of an analogy for life troubles - sometimes you hop over it, sometimes steps smack into it!

There might be a natural product that could be sprayed on the walkway monthly which would deter them from using it.


Fig 02 - Goose poop on the walking path. 

We saw Goose Stopper, liquid repellent sold in Home Depot with reasonable price, but we don't know the effective of liquid for keeping geese off the walking path.


Fig 03 - Goose Stopper, liquid repellent 

What do you think?

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The Spider Lily at Walking Track Side - Gardening and Hobby 56

Saturday, October 5, 2024
The category 2 hurricane Francine with speed 96 to 110 mph (154 to 177 km/hours), made landfall in our state Louisiana in the last September 2024. 


Fig 01 - The wild Spider Lily grows well 

Hurricane Francine caused significant flooding in our state. The storm inflicted moderate damage before rapidly weakening into a tropical storm, and then a tropical depression when reached another state, Mississippi.

Surprisingly, we saw Spider lilies popped out on the day after Francine went through. "Mother Nature" has pretty good timing.

In addition to Spider lily, the plant has other names:
- Hurricane lily
- Naked lady


Fig 02 - The wild Spider Lily

They are called as Naked ladies; it is because the flower head is obvious any foliage. Their colors also in yellow and pink.


Fig 03 - The Spider Lily at Walking Track.

Do you know about spider lily?

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A Female Wren Visited Our Yards - Critter 79

Friday, September 27, 2024
We saw a young female wren visited our backyard last season. A delightful little bird. Look like a lively and energetic bird.  


Fig 01 - A female wren was seen at backyard

Three possibilities a female wren might visit our backyard:
1) Searching for foods:
- she attracts to insect as one of her main sources of food

2) Water
- we have a bird bath, so wrens or other birds visit for drinking and bathing regularly, especially during hot Summer. 

3) Nesting
- Backyards is one of suitable locations to build nesting site.  


Fig 02 - She is sitting on the twig. 

Two common species visit our city:
- Bewick Wren 
- Carolina Wren


Fig 03 - Lonely female wren

Have you seen Wren in your areas?

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