Doves on the Roof - Critter 108

 Dove is one of birds comes back to our yards during breeding seasons almost every year. We believe they nest on that time.

Fig 01 - Three doves

Some said doves are a symbol of family and having them is a blessing. It means there is peace in your yard.

Observation summary of doves:

- when the mother left the nest, the father would take his turn keeping eggs warm.

- Once hatched they (other and father) also took turns feeding them.

- The babies are tiny but grow quickly. The young would try to explore and fall out of the nest before being able to fly.

- It was funny watching their parents trying to contain them.

Fig 02 - A white dove

We have also seen adult birds teach their young how to swoop in and pick up food which was interesting. The baby repeatedly failed, and the parent patiently showed it over and over until the baby got it right.

Fig 03 - At least one juvenile.

Have doves come to your yards?

# Previous postings:

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

- The Cactus Fruit Sold in the Market – Sign 37 | Tanza

- Can Mosquitoes be Exterminated on the Earth? - Part 1

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

- The Differences between Pink and Regular Salts - Part 2 - Food Variety 28

The Free Pantry at the Corner

We have several library boxes, kind of swap libraries at our communities. We may take one, then put one as swapping. 

Figure 01 - Library box converted to pantry box.

You may read previous post about library box in our community:

- Less Books in the Box – Sign 17 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Recently, one of library boxes has been converted into a free pantry by someone we don't know yet.

What a fabulous idea!!! And such a good time for it! This is very neighborly: generosity and efforts to support our neighborhood

We may take what we need or that others can also easily provide their support when able to do so.

Figure 02 - One of library boxes

Figure 03 - Inside box.

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- Bees Love Nectar of Yellow Jessamine – Critter 33 | Tanza

- Have You Ever Tasted a Paria? - Part 1 - Food Variety 31 | Tanza

- Mayflower the Moving Business Company – Sign 36 | Tanza

- May Insects Kill Human with Their Stings? - Part 1 | Tanza

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

The Small Dragonflies - Critter 107

We saw hundreds of small dragonflies at backyard last summer. The Scientific name is Pachydiplax longipennis with common name Blue Dasher.  

Fig 01 - Dragonfly at yard

In our area, summer was characterized by heat wave and drought. The conditions might relate to absent some insects.

We saw less than usual or even didn't see the following insects:

- Lovebugs

- Bush crickets (Katydids)

- The big golden silk orb weavers

- Honey bees

- and craneflies

Fig 02 - A blue dasher

In the small fish, we came across a very strange looking creature. Upon looking it up, we found it was the young undeveloped dragonfly.

Fig 03 - A little dragonfly

Hopefully things will get back to normal soon because birds and many other organisms depend on insects as their main food sources.

Fig 04 - Painting of dragonfly

Did you notice there are abundant of dragonflies in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- Homeless and Drug Addictions – Sign 35 | Tanza Erlambang

- Homeless and Drug Addictions – Sign 35 | Tanza Erlambang

- Could Scientists Develop Unhackable Computers? - Part 2 |

- Wild White Flowers in the Spring - Gardening and Hobby 30 |

- Bees Love Nectar of Yellow Jessamine – Critter 33 | Tanza

The Great Egret to Visit our Lawn - Critter 106

We may spot this bird, the Great Egret in our areas year-round. Every season is the perfect time. 

Figure 01 - Lonely visitor, Great Egret 

We believe the scientific name for Great Egret is Ardea alba. Interestingly, It has many common names, few of them are:

- Otis, very local name

- great white egret

- big egret

- common egret

- white heron

- and etc.

Figure 02 - Just meme

Have you seen the great egret around you?

# Previous postings:

- The Typical French Garden Style in Louisiana – Sign 34 | Tanza

- What is Negative Interest Rate Mean? - Part 1 | Tanza

- Rare to See Spicebush Swallowtails in the Yard – Critter 32 |

- Is Tempeh Better than Tofu? - Part 1 – Food Variety 30 | Tanza

- Homeless and Drug Addictions – Sign 35 | Tanza Erlambang

A Little Flower Garden - Gardening and Hobby 73

We have a spot of tiny flower garden at the lawn path of Boulevard entrance. The garden was started about 5 months ago.

Fig 01 - Just starting, 5 months ago.

I saw flowers are blooming, many varieties of them, unfortunately, I don't recognized their exact names. They are beautiful. 

However, some flowers for small garden in our community are:

- Purple Coneflower

- Butterfly Weed

- Black-eyed Susan

- Camellias

- Daffodils and etc.

Fig 02 - Blooming at little garden

You may see some pumpkins as part of decorations. The pumpkins make tiny garden more colorful.

Fig 03 - Kind of flowers

Fig 04 - Beautiful of little garden

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- Homemade Local Pecan Candy - Part 1 - Food Variety 29 |

- The Friendly Himalayan Cat – Critter 31 | Tanza Erlambang

- How Could Scientists Cure AIDS Patients? - Part 2 – Virus 40

- Blooming of Starfish Cactus - Gardening and Hobby 29 |

- The Typical French Garden Style in Louisiana – Sign 34 |

Beekeepers and Local Honey in the City - Food Variety 40

We don't know the exact number of beekeepers in our city or community, it is because no formal registration system in place.

Fig 01 - The beekeeper.

However, the estimate number is about 100 beekeepers in the city, Baton Rouge. This number is quite reasonable in urban areas.

Beekeepers are not really "professional" in urban areas, just kind of "part time" jobs and even hobby. 

They use open space (land) as a be yard. 1 acre (0.41 ha) of land is good to support at least 20 hives.

These 20 artificial hives could produce about 5 gallons or 60 pounds (18.93 liters) fresh honey per year.

Fig 02 - A bee sips nectar of flower.

In our suburban community, we might legally have up to 3 artificially bee hives in our own backyards.

Fig 03 - A bee in other flowers.

Some benefits to have hives in our backyards:

- free honey from your yard

- and free pollination services from the bees!

Fig 04 - Local fresh honey

Do you like local fresh honey?

# Previous postings:

- The Differences between Pink and Regular Salts - Part 1 - Food Variety 28

- Why is Low Glycemic Index Important? - Diabetes 29 | Tanza

- Food Sources for Coyote in the City – Critter 30 | Tanza

- The Painting Exhibition in Our State – Sign 33 | Tanza 

- Homemade Local Pecan Candy - Part 1 - Food Variety 29 |

Mockingbird as One of Morning Visitors - Critter 105

Mockingbirds rarely visit our backyard, and when they do, it's always in the early morning as of recently.

Fig 01 - A mockingbird in the morning.

The bird might be attracted to "the suet cakes" which content animal fat. The fat is loved by many wild birds.  

Mockingbird has pecked or eaten this suet cake in such a way with almost no remaining in the feeder. 

We bought the box of suet cakes from Amazon with specification

- Brand: Wildlife Sciences

- A box contains 10 packs

- Price $ 19.99

Fig 02 - A box of Suet Cakes

In addition to Mockingbirds, it seems to be a good one for woodpeckers. Interestingly, there are some brands in the market. I should try some of them in the near future.

Fig 03 - Eating suet cake

Do you have specific food for wild birds

# Previous postings:

- Could Scientists Develop Un-hackable Computers? - Part 1 |

- A Ruby Crowned Kinglet – Critter 29 | Tanza Erlambang

- Have you Tasted Tamarind Fruit or Juice? - Part 2 - Food Variety 27

- What does Dogtopia Mean? - Sign 32 | Tanza Erlambang

- The Differences between Pink and Regular Salts - Part 1 - Food Variety 28

Blooming of Angelonia - Gardening and Hobby 72

Angelonia is one of the few plants that loves southern states of USA hot temperature and humidity.  

Figure - Blooming of Angelonia

This beautiful flower has common name or nicknamed, summer snapdragons. Drought tolerant but well with our rain. Doesn't usually need extra watering.

Angelonia is annually, but our plant did great until the big freeze in January. Replanted these in the Spring.

New (young) leaves of Angelonia are not tolerant to several animals (critters) such as:

- deer

- rabbits

- squirrels

- and other small wild critters.

We actually did cover them before the freeze. But the frost cloth was too lightweight. We used a heavy one (tree cover) doubled and it saved our Angelonia. Lesson learned. No deer, just squirrels and small wildlife.

Do you know about Angelonia?

# Previous postings:

- Do you Want to Have Forever Puppies? - Part 2 – Critter 27 |

- The United States Import Ginger the most – Sign 30 | Tanza

- Have you Tasted Banana Pepper? - Part 2 - Food Variety 25 |

- Crisis of Chicken’s meat and Eggs – Sign 31 | Tanza Erlambang

- Could Scientists Develop Un-hackable Computers? - Part 1 | Tanza

The House Sparrow is a Kind of Gangster - Critter 104

We posted invasive species of House Sparrow that could kill and even takes over nest of native birds.

Fig 01 - A Bluebird was killed by House Sparrow.

You may see previous post: 

- The Invasive Bird, a House Sparrow - Critter 103 | 

The House Sparrow may bully flock birds, and very aggressive towards our native songbirds, and will kill them.

If House Sparrow catch them in a birdhouse, the aggressive Sparrow will poke their eyes out, or both.

Then he throws the bird’s eggs out of the box or even murder their babies with his strong beaks.

Fig 02 - Flock of birds

He will have several nests going with different females at the same time. then multiply prolifically.

Fig 03 - A bluebird

That the House Sparrow way of life. What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- Have you Tasted Tamarind Fruit or Juice? - Part 1 - Food Variety 27 |

- We Spotted Coyote in Our Neighborhood – Critter 28 |

- How Could Scientists Cure AIDS Patients? - Part 1 – Virus 40 |

- The 24 Hour Emergency Service - Sign 29 | Tanza Erlambang

- Do you Want to Have Forever Puppies? - Part 2 – Critter 27 |

Blooming of Pineapple guava Bush - Gardening and Hobby 71

The Pineapple guava bush with scientific name Acca sellowiana, has very "distinct" beautiful flowers. 

Figure 01 - Blooming of Pineapple guava

The combine colors include white (petal or flower) , pink and red colors. Interestingly, some information said the flowers are edible. 

Taste of white petals:

- good

- tropical flavor

- really sweet

The squirrels love them. They don’t, however, eat the red part, don't know why. Fun to watch them.

Figure 02 - Beautiful sunset

The tree has minimal maintenance. We have two that came up from seed and have pitted till large enough to plant.

Figure 03 - Ready to be planted

Do you know about flowers of Pineapple guava Bush?

# Previous postings:

- Do you Want to Have Forever Puppies? - Part 1 – Critter 27

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

- Have You ever Tasted Banana Pepper? - Part 1 - Food Variety 26

- The Yaupon Holly Plants Produce Attractive Berries – Sign 28

- Have you Tasted Tamarind Fruit or Juice? - Part 1 - Food Variety 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The Invasive Bird, a House Sparrow - Critter 103

After second look, we recognize a bird sitting on the fence is a House Sparrow. The bird is well known as invasive species in our areas.

Fig 01 - A House Sparrow, a visitor

Invasive species means that House Sparrows may compete and even kill native species in our areas. 

Several species could be killed by House Sparrows are:

- Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis)

- Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

- Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis)

- Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)

- Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)

Fig 02 - A corner of city

In our urban area, we may see aggressiveness of House Sparrow to kill birds in their nest, then take over the nest.

Fig 03 - A house Sparrow

Do you see a House Sparrow in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- A Flower Called Cat’s Ear Dandelion – Part 2 - Gardening and Hobby 26

- A Domestic Bunny as a Pet at Home – Critter 26 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Why does Oil Price Go Negative in the Market? - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Storing Firearms Securely to Prevent Suicide – Sign 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Do you Want to Have Forever Puppies? - Part 1 – Critter 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Colorful of Purslane Flowers - Gardening and Hobby 70

 Purslane is one of the flowers which are blooming in the middle of summer, especially in our areas.

Fig 01 - Purslane Flowers

Many people said the flowers like the “Angel Drops” from Heaven due to their "absolutely gorgeous."

There are plenty colors of Purslane, some favorites in our areas are:

- orange

- yellow

- white

- pink

- and bi-colors

Fig 02 - Beautiful flowers

In our areas, little bit warmer, Purslane Flowers may come back every year. The flowers might regrow from roots.

Fig 03 - Colorful

Do you know this flower?

# Previous postings:

- Fresh Mango in the US Market – Part 2 - Food Variety 25 | Tanza

- A Small Vendor for Christmas Gifts – Sign 26 | Tanza

- Hay Stacks in the Small Farmer Market – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang

- Are Red Silkies a Rare Breed Chicken? - Critter 25 | Tanza Erlambang

- A Flower Called Cat’s Ear Dandelion – Part 2 - Gardening and Hobby 26