A Box Turtle Passig through our House - Nature 176

 The little tortoise (Box turtle) come to visit us a couple days ago. We offered some carrots and water.

Image 01 - A tortoise passing through.

She didn’t seem too interested. She enjoyed a bit of sunshine on the balcony and then wandered off.

The Box turtles are native to our state. In nature, they consume:

- insects (caterpillars, grasshoppers etc)

- mollusk (snails and slugs)

- earthworms.

- small animals.

Actually, the box turtles may consume vegetation and fruit as well.

Image 02 - Another box turtle.

Do you know about box turtle?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Passion Flower in the Yard - Nature 144

- The Eggs of Apple Snail on the Rock of Lake - Nature 145

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Blooming of Supertunia - Nature 146

- The Rainbow Evening : The Velvet Black and Blue Swallowtail - Nature 147

- Recognizing Faces and Ramachandran Case – Part 1 - Alzheimer's 16

The Sunset over the Sky was Breathtaking

 Few days ago, we saw the sunset over the sky. It was breathtaking. So grateful. God's creation.

Image - First photo.

Yes, there is a sunset every day, but beauty like this is rare. This view feels like a real treat to me.

We may observe God's other amazing artworks over the sky, both in the morning and at night, that are:

- great sunrises

- and moon rises

We love seeing the moonrise over the beach. It’s magical when the moon slowly climbs above the ocean horizon.

Image 02 - A beautiful sunset

Image 03 - An amazing view

Do you love watching the sunset?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Evening : Satsumas are Turning to a Brownish Color - Food 45

- The Rainbow Evening : A coyote Carrying a Cat at Neighborhood - Nature 142

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Jam of Fig Fruit - Food 46

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Raising Cows on Local Farms - Nature 143

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Passion Flower in the Yard - Nature 144

Two Peacock in the Front Door - Nature 175

Two visitors came by the front door: a male and a female peacock. Maybe they are lovers on the run.

Image 01 - Two visitors in front door.

Not sure where these came from; they could be from:

- a neighbor, as a pet

- a zoo.

We would check with the zoo to see if they are missing of these birds, a bit of a distance for them though.

Yes, a peacock is a beautiful bird but extremely loud. As we know, they don't like cold weather.

So, they are enjoying living in our areas, a warmer temperature state.

Image 02 - A male peacock.

Has a peacock ever visited your house?

# Previous postings:

- Blending in Pretty Well on the Satsuma Tree - Nature 139

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Farmer’s Market at Downtown

- The Rainbow Evening : Short Lifespans of Male Mosquitoes - Nature 140

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Daddy Longlegs Spider - Nature 141

- The Rainbow Evening : Satsumas are Turning to a Brownish Color - Food 45

Passing by the Santa Spider

We noticed something interesting when we drive to downtown recently. We love seeing "the Santa Spider."

Image 01 - The Santa Spider.

We then stop at a nearby parking lot. We walk and observe this seasonal spider quite closely. 

It is a kind of carnival season (such as Mardi Gras). It has been another fun season that has brought us joy.

When passing at different days, we saw different dresses:

- Santa dress

- Crown dress

- and dress with a hat.

Image 02 - Spider without specific dress.

Image 03 - Spider with a hat

Image 04 - A Crown spider.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

# Previous postings:

- The Black Soldier Flies (Hermetia illucens) - Nature 136

- The Canning Pear Tree with Fruits in Neighborhood - Nature 137

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Eastern Swallowtail Butterfly - Nature 138

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Capgras Delusion and Alzheimer’s Disease - Part 2 - Alzheimer’s 15

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Blending in Pretty Well on the Satsuma Tree - Nature 139

The Mississippi River

 Mississippi River is one of the longest rivers in the USA, and even in the world with length of 2340 miles (3766 km). 

Image 01 - A ridge crosses the river.

Dates back hundreds of years, the river blends with a richness of: 

- history

- music 

- and culture.

 Steamboat is the "main" transportation during Mark Twain eras (1880's). before the Civil War.  

Nowadays, in the Mississippi river, we may observe the riverboats and other commercial activities.

Image 02 - A river boat.

Other commercial activities include the transportation of goods, fishing, kayaking and cruising.

 

Image 03 - Painting of bridge by local artist.

Have you visited the Mississippi River?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Peggy Martin Roses - Nature 133

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Happy mother day

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Injured Turtle in the Flower Bed - Nature 134

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Blooming of Gloriosa Lilly - Nature 135

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Black Soldier Flies (Hermetia illucens) - Nature 136

Breeding of Silkie Chicken is Fascinating - Nature 174

The people who have Silkie Chickens make them as a great pet, since they are sweet and docile.

Image 01- A silkie Chicken

Some other fascinating things of Silkie chicken as a great pet are:

- a fancy appearance

- they may be able for caring and raising other breeding.

- nice to all family members, include children

- calm and quiet.

- and just need a small space.

Unfortunately, they are prone to being bullied by more aggressive breeds so tend to be loners when in a mixed flock.

Image 02 - A lonely chicken

Our friend has other breeding chickens with one white Silkie chicken. The white one got pecked and pushed away from food by the others.

Image 03 - Other breeding chickens

One night a possum got in the coop and the next morning the white one was dead and dragged out of the coop.

Image 04 - Can't mix with other breeding.

Do you know of white Silkie chicken breeding?

# Previous postings:

- The Bees Pollinating Morning Glory Flowers - Nature 131

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Short fast guide to propagation - Science 39

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Squirrel with two-toned fur - Nature 132

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Capgras Delusion and Alzheimer’s Disease - Part 1 - Alzheimer’s 15

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Peggy Martin Roses - Nature 133

The River at Nearby Area - Nature 173

 We have at several rivers and streams around our neighborhood. We just try to walk around to one of them.

Image 01 - A boat on the river.

The river is quite natural, with almost no pollution. What can the river and the area around it offers to visitors?

Some of the offers are:

- stunning views of wildlife

- watching boats and jet skis

- enjoy a peaceful moment by the water.

- even cast a line for some great fishing

- and chances for kayaking.

Image 02 - Signs to the river and pond

Image 03 - River's side

Image 04 - Calm water

Do you have rivers around your areas.

# Previous postings:

- Spicy Food and Alzheimer's Disease – Part 3 - Alzheimer's 14

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- The Bees Pollinating Morning Glory Flowers - Nature 131