Strange Looking Bird Called Guinean Cock of the Rock – Part 1

After seeing the beautiful bird picture at below (Fig 01), do you see the strange of critter?

What part?

Fig 01- Guianan Cock of the Rock (credit to eBird).

I myself did not observe mouth, look like “mouth less” animal for me.

It is because its feathers cover the beak (mouth). Interestingly that head is in form of crescent.

The bird is called Guianan Cock of the Rock with scientific name Rupicola rupicola.

John Latham, the English ornithologist was the first person to describe this bird in 1790.

Fig 02- Green, springtime

Fig 03- Wild flowers

Fig 04- Female Guianan Cock of the Rock was sitting on the nest

(credit to Flickr).

This Strange Looking Bird distributes in South America region include:

- Guyana

- Venezuela

- Brazil

- Columbia

- Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.

Size of bird is not big enough, 30 cm (12 inch) in length and 210 gram (7.4 oz) in weight. Male is bigger and has brighter feathers than female.

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- Stray Cats in Our Neighborhood | Tanza Erlambang Update

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Have you Tasted Alligator Meat? - Part 1 - Sign 7

It is estimates about 5 million alligators in the USA. Then, you might wonder which states have the most alligator in America:

- either Florida or Louisiana?

Fig 01- Alligator meat and others

Just to let you know and comparison that alligator population in Louisiana and Florida is following:

- Louisiana has 3 million alligators

- Florida has about 1.25 million alligators

In Louisiana, the alligators are not only harvested as wild animals, but also from farming.

Farming produces much more alligators than hunted from wild. 400,000 farm raised and about 30,000 wild hunting alligators.

Fig 02- One of seafood markets in the city

Fig 03- Grocery, just for illustration

Fig 04- Alligator meat sold by Gator World.

Other states which have alligators in great numbers are:

- Georgia

- Alabama

- Mississippi

- North Carolina

- Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas

As you might know that alligators have economic benefits in industries. What part alligator is most valuable?

# To be continued to Part 2

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

You might know that National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is planning to send humans into the Mars.

Fig 01- Helmets style of Roman empire.

The agency has accepted more than 12,000 qualified applicants to become astronauts.

The best candidates of astronauts will be selected and trained both to explore the our Moon and Mars, probably by mid or end of this year.

In case of sending human to Mars, NASA had developed the basic steps to pursue or has been completed:

- in 2018, a small robotic lander.

- in 2020, Mars rover

Fig 02- Human on Mars, illustration only (credit to Guardian)

Fig 03- Green landscape

Fig 04- Wild flowers in neighborhood

It is expected to complete the following fundamental steps:

- in 2024, will build base components

- in 2025, first astronauts supposed to land on Mars surface.

However, the progress works have indicated that the planned highly possibly to go beyond 2030 to send first crew to the red planet.

The obstacles include length journey about 3 years for round trip from Earth to Mars, and life support for astronauts in the long run.

You might wonder:

- what is relationship between human landing and emperor on the Mars?

# To be continued to Part 2

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

We buy grapes in the farmer market sometimes, especially on Tuesday market close to home.

Unexpectedly, we noticed the grape like fruit recently.

Fig 01- The grape like fruits, Muscadine

The shape are similar to grapes, its called as Muscadine with scientific name is Vitis rotundifolia. Common grape for wine has scientific name Vitis vinifera. So, both Muscadine and grape have the same genus, Vitis.

Then, few differences of Muscadine compared to grapes are:

- rounder or oval berry shape

- thicker and tougher skin

- contain about 5 seeds in each fruit.

- flesh is clear and translucent

Fig 02- A statue, just for illustration

Fig 03- Plants, just for illustration

Fig 04- Muscadine jelly, sold in Walmart

I bought one color only, but many colors are found in the market, we believe common colors are:

- light bronze

- pink

- purple

- black

- light green

This fruit is native to America, grows mainly in the areas of southeastern and south central USA.

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

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Goslings at the Neighborhood Lake – Critters 5

We have several lakes at our neighborhood area, one of them is called as “the lower lake.”

The size is not so big, but beautiful in my opinion.

Fig 01- Sleepy goslings

People come for walking, jogging or just watching wildlife around the lake. Crowd on Saturday and Sunday.

Canadian geese are pretty much in number. We easily spot them play around at our neighborhood.

Actually, they are “migrant refugees” from Canada or from some Northern states of America.

These geese avoid freezing temperature during winter seasons, and plenty of them have tried to adapt in Southern states of America.

Fig 02- A couple of geese

Fig 03- You may see “a little crocodile”

Fig 04- Look little closer of “crocodile”

Fig 05- Geese seem watching visitors

Fig 06- A couple might worry

Canadian geese have favorite locations, and they love to make nest on the sites such as:

- elevated areas

- top of little hills

- in the bushes and around lakes

Geese produce around 5 eggs per breeding season. Incubation period is about 28 days.

I think like other fowls that during incubation, female geese will not leave her nest for eating or other reasons.

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Neighborhood Watch in Communities – Sign 6

I have seen several signs of “neighborhood watch” at the some streets in my community.

The Fig 01 (at below) sign was old one, need to be replaced.

Fig 01- A sign of Neighborhood watch in a community

As you might know that neighborhood watch is a program to bond among 3 parties:

- residents in certain area

- businesses

- policies

This program was initiated by The National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) in 1972, about 50 years ago.

Fig 02- Sky and tower in the city

The main purpose is to help residents and law enforcement at neighborhood level.

Fig 03- At the farmer market

Now days, it is estimated more than 5,000 local agencies involve in the watch program.

Fig 04- Flowers in the garden

How to involve in neighborhood watch program?

The programs of neighborhood watch are run by volunteer. The volunteers come from neighbors. Just register to be a volunteer.

Is the neighborhood watch program success to reduce crime?

Since the members are volunteers, the “measure” of success is relate to:

- improving relationship between residents and polices

- giving crucial tips to law enforcement to prevent a crime (robbery or burglary)

- preparing residents to handle disaster

Have your neighborhoods this kind of program?

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