Colorful of Snapdragons

 The photo was from Spring, then we enter very hot Summer with temperature reaches around 97* F (36* C). 

Image of Snapdragon flowers

Some said the Snapdragons with scientific name Antirrhinum majus could bloom until Fall, I don't know.

The flowers have many colors, our favorite includes:

- yellow

- pink

- orange

- red 

- and white

Few people grow the Snapdragons from seeds. It could take months until flowers blooming. We never did it.

Do you know about Snapdragons?

# Previous postings:

- Waking up after Sleeping for 24,000 years – Part 1 | Tanza

- May Drink Coffee Regularly Improve Healthy Heart? - Part 1 - Heart 8 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Herbs Show at Our City Park – Sign 19 | Tanza Erlambang

- Demanding of Tofu was Increasing During Covid 19 Pandemic – Part 2 – Food Variety 21 | Tanza

- A Blonde Squirrel at Our Backyard – Critter 16 | Tanza

The Red Bellied Woodpecker - Critter 98

We believe; we have not seen any Red Bellied Woodpeckers at our yards for long time. Purely by chance, we saw one recently. 

Image - Red Bellied Woodpecker

Luckily, we could take one "good" photo, before the bird flying away. Actually, this bird should be "common" in our areas.

They may appear on the feeders. We don't know why they disappeared a while from our backyard.

The Red Bellied Woodpecker used to stop on our very old fig tree and then make a hole for a full life.

Actually, a half dead fig tree, and the other half has leaves. We are waiting to see if it produces figs.

Finally, do you have experience with the Red Bellied Woodpecker?

# Previous postings:

- Drinking Problem in the USA – Sign 18 | Tanza Erlambang

- Blooming of Freesia Flowers – Part 1 - Gardening and Hoby 25

- Peanuts in the Farmer Market – Part 2 - Food Variety 20

- A Fox on the Box of Neighborhood – Critter 15 | Tanza

- Waking up after Sleeping for 24,000 years – Part 1 | Tanza

The Orchid Blooming in the Room - Gardening and Hobby 68

Many beautiful orchids come from tropical regions; however, they live in the forest with "calm" temperatures. 

Fig 01 - Blooming of the tropical orchid

Our area is hot and humid during summer; hence, it seems fit for tropical flowers include orchids to grow well. 

Phalaenopsis is one of popular orchids in our neighborhoods, it is because the orchid has some distinct characters such as:

- long lasting blooming 

- easy to care.

- colorful

- good as an indoor plant.

Fig 02 - Second blooming

Do you know about tropical orchids?

# Previous postings:

- Peanuts in the Farmer Market – Part 1 – Food Variety 20 |

- Cutting the Tree Before Hurricane Coming – Part 2 | Tanza

- The Orb Weaver Spider in the Yard – Critter 14 | Tanza 

- Demanding of Tofu was Increasing During Covid 19 Pandemic – Part 1 – Food Variety 21 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Drinking Problem in the USA – Sign 18 | Tanza Erlambang

The Three Babies of the Bird - Critter 97

We posted about eggs of a bird: A Bird Has Made a Nest and been Laying Eggs - Critter 96 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01 - The 3 babies of bird

Now, 3 of 5 eggs are hatching. Unfortunately, one egg was moved out nest by mama birds, another was rotten. We don't know why.

Some of you guess the bird species Here are the guessed:

- A House Finch

- A House Sparrow

- A Wren 

- A mourning Dove 

- and a Robin   

Fig 02 - Five eggs

Based on a below picture (Fig 03), even though the photo is not clear enough, we believe the species is "a Robin."

Fig 03 - Mama Birds nearby eggs

What do you think about bird species?

# Previous postings:

- Small Business at Nearby Neighborhood – Part 2 | Tanza

- The Attractive Flower to Butterflies and Bees | Tanza

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

- Pug was a Breeding Dog for Royal Families – Critter 13 | Tanza

- Peanuts in the Farmer Market – Part 1 – Food Variety 20

Are Bamboo Plants Illegal to Grow in the Yards?

We have two types of bamboo here in the USA, the native one and non-native bamboo, the invasive ones. 

Fig 01 - Bamboo plants, illustration.

The invasive bamboo, called running bamboo with most invasive is Phyllostachys sp. The genus could: 

- grow 15 feet (about 3 m) tall

- covering the yards quickly

- blocking the sun, makes no grass growing

These the reasons why many states in the USA "banned" the invasive bamboo. The states that prohibit this bamboo includes Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland, Washington and many others.

 

Fig 02 - The bamboo plant, Home Depot.

Do you about bamboo?

Previous postings:

- Cutting the Tree Before Hurricane Coming – Part 1 | Tanza

- What is Tang Soo Do? - Sign 16 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Our Yards are Visited by Bees Regularly – Critter 12 | Tanza

- Declining Population of Mammals with Cube Feces | Tanza

- Small Business at Nearby Neighborhood – Part 2 | Tanza

A Bird Has Made a Nest and been Laying Eggs - Critter 96

At first, we saw 3 eggs of a bird in the nest on the wreath, we didn't know the species of the bird is, could be few possibilities. 

Fig 01 - 3 eggs of a bird.

At least, because we often see them around this area, there are 3 possibilities of bird species which laying eggs on our wreath:

- A Robin

- A Caroline Wren

- A Mourning Dove

Hopefully, the sad day will not repeat when las Spring, we had eggs in our door wreath and a cat got to them before they could hatch! However, it's best not to interfere. Let nature takes its course.

Fig 02 - She adds more eggs.

We will observe these eggs until their hatching or at least 14 days, incubation period for many birds in our neighborhood.

Fig 03 - Update eggs, total 5 eggs

Do you have any guesses about the bird species?

# Previous postings:

- Raccoon Hiding under the Hood of the Car – Critter 10 | Tanza

- Hay Stacks in the Small Farmer Market | Tanza Erlambang

- World Faces with Refugee Crisis – Sign 15 | Tanza Erlambang

- Market of Ornamental Fish for Pond – Critter 11 | Tanza Erlambang

- Cutting the Tree Before Hurricane Coming – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang

Sign of Chicken crossing - Sign 78

We noticed this sign at suburban areas of our city. It is fun, but I’m not sure what the meaning of sign is.

Fig - Sign of Chicken crossing. 

I really don't see a chicken. I thought it was a crab or lobster claw. We drive past it daily when we go to job, and it always gives me a smile. It once again begs the question "How did the chicken cross the road?"

From internet sources, yes, there are plenty of signs that chickens crossing the roads. The signs kind of warning and might be seen in the suburban or farming areas where chicken roaming close to roadsides.

Moreover, other possibility that it is displaying art around the city just for the sake of art! Lord knows we could use some humor and art around the areas.

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- Database in Everyday Aspects of Life - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Have you Seen Cube Feces Animals in Nature? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- State Rules to Prohibit Pets in Stores – Sign 14 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Small Business at Nearby our Neighborhood – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang

- Raccoon Hiding under the Hood of the Car – Critter 10 | Tanza Erlambang

A Limpkin from Florida - Critter 95

We are not familiar, even we never seen this critter around our areas until recently. Highly possibility the bird is Limpkin. 

Fig 01 - A Limpkin, wandering

The main distribution of Limpkins is Florida and Georgia. The storms might bring them to our state, Louisiana.

The birds are observed in other several states such as:

- Texas

- Wisconsin

- and Maryland.

In addition to storms, the birds come to our areas (neighborhood) due to their source of food: Apple Snails.

Fig 02 - The Park at our areas, illustration

Snails include Apple snails quite popular seafood in our state, you may read about this snail at previous posts:

- Snails as One of Popular Seafood – Sign 21 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 03 - The bird, Limpkin

Do you recognize Limpkin in nature?

# Previous postings:

- Finnish Nightmare in the Eyes of Far Eastern Countries - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Ornamental Fish for Pond in the Garden – Critter 9 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Slow Cat Crossing in Neighborhood – Sign 13 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Are Rattan End Products Expensive than Plastic? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Database in Everyday Aspects of Life - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Vivian Mae, The Native Iris Hybrid - Gardening and Hobby 67

 As you might know, Iris has at least 300 species worldwide. Many love them due to their attractive colors. 

Fig 01 - Native flower of our state

The above photo (Fig 01) is our state, Louisiana native Iris, people called it Vivian Mae or Louisiana hybrids.

Other well-known species (hybrids) are:

- Iris hexagona, Dixie iris

- Iris nelsonii, Abbeville iris

- Iris brevicaulis, Lamance iris

- Giant Blue, Iris giganticaerulea

- Copper Iris, Iris fulva.

Fig 02 - Another native species.

There are many colors of Iris flowers in our areas, some people including me love purple ones.

Fig 03 - Louisiana iris.

What species of Iris flowers in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- Rattan End Products Sold in the USA Market | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Firearms Free Zone – Sign 12 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Database in Everyday Aspects of Life - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Land Snail in the Garden – Critter 8 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Finnish Nightmare in the Eyes of Far Eastern Countries - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

A Scared Young Hawk on the Roadside - Critter 94

We saw scared and young hawk on the roadside, not far from our house. Wings are clipped and not banded.

Fig - A scared young hawk

We are not sure why anyone would have a hawk with clipped wings, it is not safe from predators.

More than that, we believe it is illegal and cruel (ethical concerns) to limit bird ability to fly or whatever reasons.

The young hawk is likely a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk, we quoted from the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 that "all native hawk species in the United States are federally protected, making it illegal to kill, capture, possess (including feathers, body parts, or eggs), or harass them without a permit."

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- We Have Seen Jumping Worms in Louisiana – Critter 7 | Tanza Erlambang Update

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- Green Bridges for Plants and Pollinators – Sign 11 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Finnish Nightmare in the Eyes of Far Eastern Countries - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Rattan End Products Sold in the USA Market | Tanza Erlambang Update

Blooming of Japanese Magnolia - Gardening and Hobby 66

 Blooming of Japanese Magnolia is a strong sign that Spring is near in our areas. The flower come to USA about 200 years ago.

Fig 01 - White Japanese Magnolia flowers.

Amidst a world in chaos (for many reasons: politics, economics, security etc.), nature calms the spirit. 

In addition to the Japanese Magnolia, our state, Louisiana has own five (5) very well-known native species:

- Bigleaf Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla).

- Cucumber-tree Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata).

- Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

- Umbrella (Magnolia tripetala) and Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana). 

Fig 02 - Dead Magnolia tree, illustration

We know Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) as large trees with evergreen leaves and fragrant flowers.

Fig 03 - Pink flowers of Magnolia.

What variety of Magnolia do you familiar with?

# Previous postings:

- Free Meal Register for Students in Our City – Sign 9 | Tanza Erlambang Update

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Special Visited from a Red Cardinal - Critter 93

We have a special visit from red Cardinal. From several resources in internet, it could be at least two meanings. 

Fig 01 - A red cardinal. 

First, the sick birds might not act as usual, hence, the birds perching on hand could be infected, their diseases can be passed to humans.

In fact, somebody in our state passed from bird flu from exposure to chickens. Moreover, there is a report on current spread of bird flu among wild birds, even in lower cases in our state (Louisiana). Other states include:

- Texas.

- Indiana

- Oklahoma and Wisconsin.

Fig 02 - Spiritual meaning (Source: Internet).

Second, Cardinals come to human could have spiritual meanings. From Googling, "a cardinal can represent love, hope, and a reminder of bonds with loved ones who have passed away. A cardinal can be a sign of God's love or the presence of an angel!"

Fig 03 - A cardinal in the winter

What do you know about Cardinal birds?

# Previous postings:

- How Important to Wash Our Hand – Sign 8 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- When Will We Have an Emperor in the Mars? - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Have you Tasted Alligator Meat? - Part 2 – Sgn 7 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Increasing of Suicide Rate in America | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Free Meal Register for Students in Our City – Sign 9 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Petunia Midnight Gold - Gardening and Hobby 65

We have several reasons to have Petunia Midnight Gold in our areas. First, it is well grown in early Spring. 

Image - Petunia midnight gold 

Their colors are stunning with purple and gold when blooming. Other purposes to plant Petunia are attracting pollinators such as:

- hummingbirds

- butterflies

- bees

- beetles

- and other insects

The visitors come to Petunia midnight gold due to its rich in nectar. We saw two species of hummingbirds frequently feed on nectar, they are Ruby-throated and Rufous hummingbirds.

Do you know about Petunia midnight gold?

# Previous postings:

- When Will We Have an Emperor in the Mars? - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Have you Tasted Alligator Meat? - Part 1 - Sign 7 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Strange Looking Bird Called Guinean Cock of the Rock – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Have You Tasted Fruits Called as Muscadine? - Part 2 – Food Variety 19 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- How Important to Wash Our Hand – Sign 8 | Tanza Erlambang Update

A flock of Robins at our Birdbath - Critter 92

We believed number of birds coming to our neighborhood tend to decrease than few years ago. 

Fig - A flock of Robins 

We have increased our bird feeding. But fewer birds come. Moreover, our own observations show that when we moved 20 years ago, our bird count was about 25 different species at our backyard. Now, 2025, the number was down to about 10 species only.

Decreasing of bird population might relate to:

- Less flyover territory because of urbanization.

- Loss of trees and wild areas where birds can feed and nest.

- Some problems still with pesticides.

- Loss of insect diversity is a huge problem for birds and many other animals

Did you see decreasing number of bird population in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- When is Spring Coming in your Place? - Part 2 - Gardening and Hobby 24

- Neighborhood Watch in Communities – Sign 6

- Goslings at the Neighborhood Lake – Critters 5

- Have You Tasted Fruits Called as Muscadine? - Part 1 – Food Variety 19

- When Will We Have an Emperor in the Mars? - Part 1 

A Nippon Chocolate Pot - Art 6

We got a pitcher from a community market close by our neighborhood. We believe it is called a hot chocolate set.

Fig 01 - A colorful pitcher. 

Unfortunately, the facts that:

- There is no marking as to who the artist is

- No made in any country label anywhere on it.

- Impossible to know its origin

- No brand and value

Based on the internet sources, this is a Nippon (Japan) porcelain piece without maker marks before 1891. Then between 1891 to 1921 were marked. The Maple leaf is the oldest and a favorite of many collectors.

Fig 02 - A pot, from another position

After 1921 the United States required all pieces coming in from Japan be marked. They started using paper labels because Japan products didn’t command high prices and once in the United States labels were removed.

Fig 03 - A pot faces left

Do you know about this Nippon Chocolate pot?

# Previous postings:

- Our Nearby Neighborhood was Visited by Alligators – Critters 4 | Tanza Erlambang Update

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