Sunday 10 March 2024

The Spring is Coming around Here - Nature 128

 The temperature going up to around F 68* (20* C) and flowers are blooming, it is mean that Spring is coming in our areas. 


Image 01 - Red Chinese Fringe flowers.

One of favorite flowers is Red Chinese Fringe flower with scientific name, Loropetalum chinense

The other common names for this flower are:
- Strap flower
Chinese witch hazel
Chinese fringe flowers
- Pink fringe flower
- Loropetalium.


Image 02 - The plant of Red Chinese Fringe

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Image 03 - A road, illustration. 

The flower original to Far East Asia (China and Japan) and SouthEast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand)



Image 04 - Another blooming flower.

Many people love Red Chinese Fringe plants because of their attractive foliage and colorful flowers.


Image 05 - Beautiful red flowers.

Do you know of Red Chinese Fringe flowers?

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Tuesday 5 March 2024

A Grasshopper on the Leaves of Gardens - Nature 127

There are plenty of grasshopper species found in our areas. Based on internet sources, there are at least 45 species. 


Image 01 - Grasshopper in action.

We capture a grasshopper in a garden, based on identification from GoogleID, the machine offered two possibilities of species:
1) A Caroline locust
- has a scientific name, Dissosteira carolina.
- they are not major pest but may damage vegetations or gardens.

2) A Gray bird grasshopper
- a scientific name, Schistocerca nitens.
- are found in our areas, Baton Rouge, LA.


Image 02 - A species of Grasshopper. 

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Image 03 - Cotton candy, illustration.

However, there are 4 (four) most common grasshoppers that are found in our city, Louisiana.  


Image 04 - A grasshoppers tried to escape. 

The 4 most common grasshoppers are:
- Easter lubber grasshopper.
- Differential grasshopper.
- Carolina locust.
- Dichromorpha viridis.


Image 05 - Wild flowers, illustration.

Carolina locust is suggested by GoogleID as one of two species from our images. The species may be found fields, grasslands and meadows. 


Image 06 - Is it Carolina locust? 

Do you know species of grasshopper in your areas?

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Thursday 29 February 2024

The Red Chili in the Market - 126

 We "very rare" to see red chili in common grocery stores such as Walmart. We may find this chili in the place such as ethnic groceries and farmer market.


Image - Red chilis, sold in the ethnic store.

Red chilis are essential to many cuisines for many countries around the globe. We may use them as adding of:
- flavor
- heat 
- and even color to dishes.

In addition to fresh, we could find red chilis in forms of powdered, dried and in sauces.

Do you like chilis?

Saturday 24 February 2024

The Minorca Rooster and Leghorn Hens - Nature 125

We talked about chicken at previous posts, the topics include "Chickens Enjoying Freedom Outside" and "The Free Ranging Chickens."


Image 01 - The Minorca rooster.

This post talks about "The Minorca Rooster and Leghorn Hens." The Minorca origins from Minorca, Spain. Other common names:
Gallina de Menorca (in Catalan)
Menorquina (in Spanish).

The Minorca was imported by J.J. Fultz to Ohio, USA in 1884. Then, spreading across America.

Since our areas are warm and humid during summer, this breeding is suitable enough to grow well.


Image 02 - Several chicken Eggs from yard.

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Image 03 - Chickens on the yard.

The Leghorn hen was origin to Tuscany region, Italy, then export to America in 1828. Americans called its as "Italians" initially.


Image 04 - A Palm, illustration only.

Leghorn hens are amazingly producing a great number of eggs compared to other breeding.


Image 05 - A beach, illustration.

The breeding could produce eggs at average of 250 eggs per year. The Leghorn hens produce eggs from 4 months old to several years. 


Fig 06 - Several Leghorn hens and a Minorca Rooster.

Do you know about a Leghorn hen and a Minorca Rooster?

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Monday 19 February 2024

Spicy Food and Alzheimer's Disease – Part 2 - Alzheimer's 14




Image 01 - Food with chili flavor

The last research was that capsaicin is able to prevent neurogenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease.

In fact, there is Qutenza (Capsaicin 8% patch). It is a prescription medicine used for the management of nerve pain after shingle in adult patient or to relief from post-shingles nerve pain.

Qutenza is synthetic capsaicin equivalent to the nature. Just to let you know that "Qutenza treatment should only be performed by a healthcare provider, and you should never apply or remove it yourself" (Averitas Pharma, 2024). 


Image 02 - Pain relieve with Capsaizin, sold in Walmart

Salonpas pain patch with Capsaicin is very popular among us. It is used for temporary relief of muscle. 



Image 03 - Chai Tea, illustration.

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Image 04 - Rural area, illustration

This patch is also to reduce joint pain caused by strains, sprains, arthritis, bruising, or backaches.



Image 05 - City hall in the small town.

Considering all of benefit of capsaicin in chili pepper, years ago I always went to Whole Market for my lunch.


 
Image 06 - Cookbook, illustration

Sometimes, we had Shrimp Thai Basil Soup or Chicken Noodle Soup. Spicy and delicious.


  
Image 07 - Painting by local artist


## To be continued to Part 3


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Saturday 17 February 2024

Leaves of Maple Tree Hardly Turn Red in our City - Nature 124

We have one Maple tree at backyard, its leaves hardly turn red before fall down. It might be related to temperature.  


Image 01 - A single tree turned its leaves to red.

Our areas are known for "mild winter" in which we have no or less snow during winter seasons. Sure, we have "mild fall" season as well.

As far as we remember, the last snow (light snow) fell in Baton Rouge in 2017, seven years ago.

However, surprisingly, the foliage of Maple trees at our backyard and neighborhood turns beautiful "red" before falling down in the last several years. Some reasons include our areas have temperature below 0* C (below 32* F) and freezing blast from Artic regions for weeks. 


 
Image 02 - Read leaves, look pretty

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Image 03 - A cat on the fallen leaves.

Due to its beautiful red foliage makes this tree to be one of favorite choices for landscape in many areas.



Image 04 - A cat sitting on the street.

In addition to temperature, red leaves are influenced by many factors include sunlight, soil condition and rainfall.



Image 05 - Tree with red leaves.

Love to observe red foliage during fall season to early winter in our areas.



Image 06 - Closer look at Marple tree. 

How about weather in your areas?

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Wednesday 14 February 2024

A Fox Crossing the Street at Neighborhood Recently - Nature 123

When drive our car, we saw a fox passing our car at one of our neighborhood corners just few days ago. 


Image 01 - A fox from a distance.

Actually, our first respond that "oh, look is that fox?." Then, we had to circle around to check it out.

We hardly seeing a fox around, and they are smaller than you might imagine. From several readings (please Google it), reminding us that foxes are generally not going to harm us humans and our pets. 

No, the foxes are not harmful to our lovely pets (dogs or cats) as they are about the same sizes. Many of our neighbors believe that the coyotes that we would have to worry about.


Image 02 - A dog, just for illustration.

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Image 03 - Flowers, just illustration.

One neighbor found one fox laying on the ground in the grass beside her dog. Both seemed totally relaxed. 


Image 04 - A little Kitty, could be attacked by Fox.

So, let them be and allow them to live in nature without human intervention. Interesting sight for the night though.  


Image 05 - A plant with red flowers, illustration.

Leave the fox and her kits alone. They are not hurting anything and will help keep the rodent population down.


Image 06 - A fox at yard, neighborhood. 

Have you seen foxes around your neighborhood?

## Previous postings:

The Spring is Coming around Here - Nature 128

 The temperature going up to around F 68* (20* C) and flowers are blooming, it is mean that Spring is coming  in our areas.  Image 01 - Red ...