The Green Lizard in the Backyard - Nature 180

 The Green lizard often appears in our backyard during the summer months, and the little critter looks quite charming.

Image 01 - A little critter.

We saw the lizards catch insects, and interestingly they consume the bugs that try to eat the leaves.

It’s a pretty charming behavior, and it’s one of the reasons we love having green lizards around our yard.

From Google, we have several species of Green Lizards, few of them are:

- Green Treefrog Lookalikes

- Green Anole

- Knight Anole

Image 02 - A newly hatched green lizard

# Important postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Pink African Violet Plant - Nature 179

- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Red Headed Skink - Nature 178

Image 03 - The head of critter.

We may observe this critter on the plants that provide shelter and insects (their foods) at our yards.

Image 04 - The lizard on the leaf.

Doyou familiar with the green lizard?

## Previous postings:

- The Light-colored Squirrel Comes to the Yard - Nature 163

- Rainbow Before Evening : Stunning Sunset in the Neighborhood night

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Deer Hunting Season in our State

- The Night Blooming Cereus is Popping off - Nature 164

- Should Hay be 80% of a Rabbit's Diet? - Science 40

The Pink African Violet Plant - Nature 179

We have quite light Pink African Violet Plants which live gently in the 4 inches pot in indoor garden.  

Image 01 - Two blooming flowers

From the name, you might guess where the flower come from. Yes, the come from Africa, brought to USA about 150 years ago.

The Original flower is the African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha), then developed to many varieties,

In our city, Baton Rouge, we have several varieties which I think with two well known for traded:

- Cajun’s Lil Joy

- Cajun popcorn

Image 02 - Light pink flower

The flowers feel suitable to grow in our hot and humid climate, especially during summer months.

Image 03 - Plants grow in the pots

Image 04 - Growing well

Do you know about The Pink African Violet Plant?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Mayfly Lives 24 hours Only - Nature 159

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Native Wildflower, Ageratum - Nature 160

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Canadian Geese Hatched at a Parking Lot - Nature 161

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Blooming of the Confederate Roses - Nature 162

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Light-colored Squirrel Comes to the Yard - Nature 163

Recognizing Faces and Ramachandran Case – Part 2 - Alzheimer's 16

You may read part 1 of this posting: The Rainbow Before Evening : Recognizing Faces and Ramachandran Case – Part 1 - Alzheimer's 16

Image 01 - Amygdala related to limbic system in memory and emotion (Source: Neuroscience, Purves).

One of the interesting theory is from Ramachadran and Hirstein (1997). They proposed that Capgras delusion are more common in the ventral of occipitotemporal which is a pathway that connected with amygdala.

Based on this theory, the delusion is a result from the disconnection between face-processing area and the limbic system.

Related to the case of the case of a wife with pretending husband, another case about capgras delusion was illustrated by Ramachandran.

Image 02 - A little Grapefruit

The case about a young man (25 year old) who got a car accident and landed with his head. This young man has problem to recognize his loved ones.

Image 03 - A grapefruit, ready to be consumed

To be continued to Part 3

# Previous postings:

- Rainbow Evening : Less Common Black Fur Squirrels in the City - Nature 156

- Rainbow Evening : The chicken breast with Pink and brown colors - Food 50

- Rainbow Evening : The Backyard Racoon is Coming Back - Nature 157

- Rainbow Before Evening : The Rose of Queen Elizabeth - Nature 158

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Mayfly Lives 24 hours Only - Nature 159

A Red Headed Skink - Nature 178

The first time I saw this critter, it scared me. We thought it was a dangerous snake that was ready to bite us. 

Image 01 - A scary critter

We believe this Red Headed Skink is one of native skinks of our state, Louisiana. They might eat:

- bugs

- insects

- lizards.

Based on my reading from several sources, the creature can change color and sex as it grows older.  

Interesting?

Image 02 - A Red Headed Skink

The skink is very skittish. Actually, the critter more scared of you than the other way around.  They are harmless. Good outdoor fun for a cat.

Image 03 - A Red Headed Skink runs away

Have you seen a Red Headed Skink in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Grapefruit Sold on the Sidewalk - Food 50

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Apple Snail - Nature 153

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Swallowtail Caterpilar - Nature 154

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Canna Lily in the Small Garden - Nature 155

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Less Common Black Fur Squirrels in the City - Nature 156

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The American Burweed in the Yard - Nature 177

We saw a plant around our house. We try to find out what plant is this? From the internet it is a kind of weed.

Image 01 - The American Burweed in the Yard

Based on the image provided, this plant appears to be American burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolius).

Here are a few key details about this plant appearance: It is a fast-growing annual with robust, erect stems and serrated or lobed.

This weed is often considered a weedy native species that colonizes disturbed soil, such as gardens or cleared areas.

While considered a weed by some, it is a native species that provides nectar for pollinators and cover for wildlife.

Image 02 - Blooming of fireweed.

Interestingly, the young leaves could be consumed, but the taste might be not pleasant for some people.

Image 03 - Weed in the Yard.

Do you recognize this plant?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Pagoda Plant or Giant Salvia? - Nature 151

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Assassin Bug in the Yard - Nature 152

- A Self-Service Honey Stand at Neighborhood - Food 49

- The Rainbow Before Evening : A little cutie Bunny at the Corner

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Grapefruit Sold on the Sidewalk - Food 50

The Peak of Bird Migration is being Seen in Our Areas - Science 41

As you might know, the bird migration takes place twice a year in American continent: Spring and Autumn migrations.

Image 01 - Bird migration, illustration

200 million of bird could fly through our city, Baton Rouge, LA. This peak season is around the third week of April:

- April 21, about 200 million bird doing migration

- After April 21, around million birds fly over our city

We love to observe this migration. Few species of migration birds are: 

- Hummingbirds

- Mississippi Kite

- Bunting

Image 02 - Whistling ducks

Image 03 - Purple Gallinule.

Does your city have bird migrations?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Pears on the Yard - Food 47

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Herd of Goats at Neighborhood

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Harvest of Early 2025 - Food 48

- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Sweet Polish Chicken - Nature 150

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Pagoda Plant or Giant Salvia? - Nature 151

The Honey Melon from the Small Garden - Food 53

We have a Honey Melon by accident in our small garden. It is actually "a garbage garden" as a place to throw waste foods. 

Image 01 - A honey Melon.

We mainly tossed scraps (chop scraps) of fruit and vegetable into our small "garbage" garden.

After a while, surprisingly, we found a honey melon, also well known as honeydew. It then grows well.

As I know, there are two varieties of honey melon:

1) Yellow inside

2) Red inside.

We love the yellow one, it is because of its flavor is like honey sweet.

Image 02 - Yellow Honey melon.

Have you tasted Honey melon?

# Previous postings:

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

- Rainbow Evening : The Beautiful Bright Green Luna Moth - Nature 148

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Hand Painting on the Glass - Art 15

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Why is my Hen Molting? - Nature 149

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Pears on the Yard - Food 47

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