The Native Wildflower, Ageratum - Nature 160

We saw a beautiful wildflower with blue color. It is an Ageratum, yes, the plant is native to our state, Louisiana.

Image 01 - The Blue flower

They are volunteer, not commercial plants as far as I know, wild ageratum, Asteraceae family.

Based on internet, we believe the scientific name is Conoclinium coelestinum, and common name Blue Mist flower.

The plant is loved by two kinds of bugs, they are spittle bugs and mealy bugs. It is because plant contains:

- high nutritional values

- succulent tissues

Image 02 - Wild flowers

Because its beauty, some people grow it in their yards. Butterfly come to visit this flower too.

Image 03 - Several Blue Mist flowers

Do you recognize this Blue Mist flower?

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Mayfly Lives 24 hours Only - Nature 159

When we sit on the chair and look at a window at one of Fast-Food restaurants in the city, we saw "a bug." 

Image 01 - May Fly at the window

Google identified it is a Mayfly; we then remember at the moment when we travelled through a river a couple years ago. 

We observed the Mayflies would pop out of the water by the millions during summer seasons (May to August). 

These insects fly directly toward the lights on the boat at night. They often would pile up on the top of boat 4 or 5 inches deep by day light  

They often would pile up on top of boat 3 or 4 inches deep by daylight, and also stick on walls of boat by the thousands.

Image 02 - A river at community, illustration.

We had to use firehouse to try and get them off. Smelled like dead shrimp that why we call dead shrimp in addition to Mayfly.

Of 4 stages (eggs, Nymph. Subimago and Imago) of Mayfly, the adult stage just lives for 1 day (24 hours), and the main goal is to mate and reproduction.

Image 03 - Life cycle of Mayfly (credit to Google).

Do you know about Mayfly?

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The Rose of Queen Elizabeth - Nature 158

As you might know, there are thousands of roses varieties in the world. In our state, more than 100 of rose varieties can be found. 

Image 01 - Rosebud Queen Elizabeth

In our state, this rose may bloom two or three times a year. in case of our roses, they are blooming at least two times a year.

The blooming times start from Spring until about Fall seasons, and it is said that they might produce for more than 35 years.

The queen Elizabeth roses are so easy to care for and grow or we just let her do her own thing.

Pinks (soft and darker pinks) are our all-time favorite color, other colors in our areas include yellow and white.

Image 02 - Pink color.

They make absolutely perfect rosebuds and fragrance roses.

 

Images 03 - Other pink roses.

Do you recognize Queen Elizabeth roses?

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The Backyard Racoon is Coming Back - Nature 157

We did not see a raccoon since last couple years at backyard. We see one in this Spring, quite surprising.   

Image 01 - A racoon on the yard.

It might be related to the foods; we have two kinds now. They are safflower seeds and a new birdseed.

When we have safflower seeds, the raccoon did not like it. We guess the squirrels didn't either.  

We put out a new birdseed that contains a lot of goodies. We bought a huge bag from Costco. Now the racoon and the squirrels have returned.

Some people said the raccoons attracted by pet foods. However, if you want to feed them though, feed them dog kibble. They are actually canine, and the cat food is too high and taurine for them and eventually can cause severe liver damage.

Did raccoons visit your yards?

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The chicken breast with Pink and brown colors - Food 50

We are starting to get a little concerned about some of the food which we have recently bought from a grocery store.

Image 01 - Colorful of chicken breasts

A pack of chicken that we bought yesterday. It's colorful:

- Pink

- and Brown

We search through Google that the different colors of the chicken breasts might not be that unusual.

This finding contradicts with our previously thought that colors such as orange was associated with spoilage.

Many factors may lead to colors or spoilage of chicken breast.

Image 02 - Chicken breast, ready to be grilled

Have you noticed the colors of chicken breasts recently?

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Less Common Black Fur Squirrels in the City - Nature 156

The common fur color of squirrels is gray in our city, Baton Rouge. It is Eastern Gray squirrel species. 

Image 01 - A Black fur squirrel

We just saw the black fur squirrel in our neighborhood, quite rare to see this color as far as we remember.

I tried to search through internet, interestingly, the sources said that the squirrel is origin from Eastern gray squirrel breeding with genetic variation process called as "melanism."  

The pigmen which is called "Melanin" has a role to control dark color in organisms. By production of more melanin means more dark color in parts such as fur, scales, skin, eyes or hair. 

Image 02 - Not black fur, illustration

What fur colors have you ever seen squirrels in your areas?

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Canna Lily in the Small Garden - Nature 155

Canna lily is one of plants that spread quickly. A nice bunch of 3 to 4 roots is a good start to grow for small backyards.

Image 01 - Red Canna Lily

The flowers are beautiful and tend to come back season after season in the small gardens or backyards.  

We recognized two varieties, Stripe Canna Lily and Regular Canna Lily. Other well-known Canna Lily in our city are:

- Black Knight

- Pink Sunburst  

- Cleopatra

- Bengal Tiger

Image 02 - A small bed of Canna

There are several colors of Canna Lily, my favorites are red, yellow and pink. These colors are plenty in our areas. 

Image 03 - Colors of Canna Lily

What varieties of Canna Lily do you like?

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