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

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

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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

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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

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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

The Dirt Dauber on a Fig Tree - Nature 172

We saw this kind of insect when we were picking figs last season. We believe it is an insect called as Dirt Dauber. 

Image 01 - Dirt Dauber on the fig's leaves.

It's scary looking for many people. However, this wasp is common in our southern state, Louisiana. 

The insect has other common names such as:

- a black and yellow mud dauber.

- a dirt dinner

- a mud dauber

- a mud wasp

- a blue mud dauber

Image 02 - Fig fruit, ripe

Several sources reported that Dirt Daubers no harm to the leaves and trees, they just consume other insects live around there.

Image 03 - A dirt dauber, walking on.

Do you know about this insect?

# Previous postings:

- The Minorca Rooster and Leghorn Hens - Nature 125

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

Blooming of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana - Nature 171

In our areas, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana has blooming time in the late winter or early spring, around December or early February to March.

Image 01 - Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, blooming.

We know this flower with other common names, just some:

- Christmas Kalanchoe

- Florist Kalanchoe

- Window Kalanchoe

- Madagascar Kalanchoe

- and Flaming Katy

We might wonder why the flower blooming during late winter while temperature "little bit lower." even in our southern area.

Image 02 - Kalanchoe sp in the corner

It is because the flower needs longer darkness or short-day light to bloom.

Image 03 - Flower indoor.

Do you know about this flower?

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- What is in the Valentine's conversation KISSES?

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The Volunteer Sunflowers from Birdseed - Nature 170

In some seasons, especially from Spring to Fall, we have volunteer sunflowers and (wild) flowers in our backyard. 

Image 01 - A beautiful sunflower.

As we might know, there are certain critters that plant wildflowers include sunflowers from birdseed on the backyards. 

We observed some wild animals that responsible to do "this business." Just three of them are:

- squirrels

- birds

- and raccoons

In addition to 3 of animals, wind and rain might play important roles as well.

Image 02 - A raccoon on the lawn

Image 03 - A squirrel plays on yard

Image 04 - Finches on birdfeeder

Image 05 - Another sunflower.

Do you have Volunteer Sunflowers from Birdseed?

# Previous postings:

- Rainbow Evening : Farming nearby Our Neighborhood - Nature 120

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Babies of Black Bellied Whistling Duck - Nature 169

We saw beautiful colors of ducks with cute babies walking on the street at nearby our house in the last Summer. 

Image 01 - Babies duck

Babies duck (ducklings) belong to duck called as Black Bellied Whistling Duck, also known as: 

- Mexican Whistlers.

- Mexican squealers

Interestingly, these ducks don't quack, but they are whispering. When wandering, they are in group of 20 to 30.

On the sandbars of Mississippi river, we use to see them by the hundreds or might be by thousands.

Image 02 - An adult of Whistling Duck.

The Whistling Ducks are noisy around or on the branches of trees at night until they go to sleep.

Image 03 - Ducks and ducklings

Have you seen these duck around?

# Previous postings:

- Rainbow Before Evening : Chickens Enjoying Freedom Outside - Nature 116

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- The Rainbow : Farming nearby Our Neighborhood - Nature 120

Pollinators of Mexican Torch Sunflower - Nature 168

The Mexican Torch Sunflower grows well in the yard in this time of year. Flowers continuously blooms from spring to frost,

Image 01 - Butterfly with Mexican Sunflower

By far the best attractor for pollinators in the yards. We observed some pollinators as frequent visitors:

- Butterfly

- Bees

- Hummingbirds

- Moth etc.

Almost every morning, we enjoy seeing pollinators sip nectar of multi-headed Mexican sunflowers.

Image 02 - Bee as a pollinator

We bought the plant from a local nursery close by our neighborhood, or you might order seed from online stores.

Image 03 - Swallowtail butterfly

Do you know this flower?

# Previous postings:

- The Free Ranging Chickens - Nature 109

- A Little Fig Tree in the Yard - Nature 110

- The Roles of Dirt Dauber in the Nature - Nature 111

- The Purslane Flowers in the Pot - Nature 112

- The White Bunny Runs around the Corner - Nature 113