Spring Hummingbirds in Our Neighborhood – Nature 58

We posted the winter hummingbird in our areas previously: - The Rainbow Before Evening : The Winter Hummingbird at Our Community – Science 26

Image 1- A hummingbird approaching feeder

Now, Spring is coming. We start to see another season of hummingbirds visits our nearby places.

Many neighbors start to put their feeders since last February. Then, we just saw the hummingbirds were coming to feed on feeders around in the middle of March this year.

Unfortunately, the photos (please see Images 1 and 2) are not clear enough to identify species of birds. Even my Google ID can’t recognize whether the object is bird or not.

Image 2- Emerald snow, illustration only

Based on report from Baton Rouge Audubon Society (2023: Feeding Hummingbirds) that only one species of hummingbird in Gulf Coast area around February to March. As you might know, the Gulf Coast include our state, Louisiana.

Image 3- A hummingbird feed on the feeder

The species of hummingbird is Ruby throats (Archilochus colubris). The bird come from Mrxico and Central America for breeding and nesting in our regions.

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Temperature Drop to Minus but No Snow – Science 31
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Kumquat is a Little Orange in the Neighborhood – Food 34
- The Rainbow Before Evening : White Hominy Pearls Tossed with Coconut Shreds – Part 2 – Food 32
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Paintings Exhibition of Local Artists – Art 10

Blooming of Yellow Jasmine in the Garden – Nature 57

We know several species of Jasmines grow very well in our city, Baton Rouge, LA, and they bloom around late Winter to Spring seasons.

Image 1- Yellow Jasmine flowers

Actually, there are plenty of Jasmine species, as suggested by Smoke (2023: Jasmine: The Scent of Romance, Intoxication, and New Orleans) that over 200 species of Jasmine live in the world.

As of our knowledge, at least there are 3 different species of Jasmine flowers live in our areas:

- Common Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)
- Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)
- Yellow Jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens)

Image 2- Yellow Jasmines are climbing

As you might know that Yellow Jasmine is said as native flower of South Caroline and be state flower. That why Yellow Jasmine also called as Carolina Jasmine.

Image 3- A good climber

The flowers are “good climber,” they could be seen along the fences, side the building, walls and entrance gates.

Image 4- Flowers are climbing the wall

How many species of Jasmines grow in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Pheasant in Neighborhood – Nature 45
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Brain Changes during Reproduction Process – Part 1 – Brain Plasticity 2
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Tabasco Pepper Plant in the Yard – Food 33
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Mediterranean Diet and Alzheimer's Prevention – Part 3 - Alzheimer's 11
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Why do We rarely Spot White Doves in Nature? - Science 30

Bonsai Show in Our City – Part 2 - Nature 51

You may read the previous post (Part 1):

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Bonsai Show in Our City – Part 1 - Nature 51

Image 1- Bonsai called as “Willow Leaf Picus” on displayed

We noticed and recognized few types of bonsai. It seems they are local and some imported types of bonsai.

Several types of bonsai on display in the room are:

- Green Mound Juniper
- Willow Leaf Picus
- Chinese elm
- Bold Cypress, Bougenville, Fukien tea
- and Japanese black pine

Image 2- Members of society and guests have a look at several bonsai.

Yes, the show has bonsai auction, called as “silent auction.” People involved in the auction:

- members
- guests
- whoever interests with bonsai

Image 3- Bonsai of Bold Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

The prices may range from couple hundreds to couple thousands, depend very much on:

- bonsai types
- age of bonsai
- cost to take care of bonsai
- arts
- bargaining

Image 4- Green Mound Juniper

Do you love bonsai trees or have any favorite of bonsai types?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Learning Process Based on My Own Experienced – Part 1 – Science 28
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Black Cobra Chili Plants – Food 31
- The Rainbow Before Evening : White Hominy Pearls Tossed with Coconut Shreds – Part 1 – Food 32
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Why are We Worry with Human Extinction? - Science 29
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Leprosy is One of the Oldest Ancient Diseases - Part 2 - Healthy Life 27

A Mother Duck with Her 8 Eggs – Nature 56

This post is a continuation of the previous post:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Duck Lays Eggs in the Pot – Nature 54

Image 1- A mother duck sitting on the eggs

One of our neighbors guessed wrongly, based on “an egg” color, the duck should be Mallard duck, he said.

Unfortunately, a duck is the Muscovy duck. She lays more and more eggs, from 3 eggs several days ago to 8 eggs as of today.

By searching through Google, the Muscovy ducks have several times to lay eggs in a year.

One clutch usually has 8 eggs to 13 eggs. The duck’s eggs usually take about 28 days to hatch.

Image 2- The eggs adding up to 8 eggs.

Image 3- The female Muscovy duck

The Muscovy duck may produce up to 120 eggs per year. The number is much less compared to Campbell or Khaki Campbell ducks which produce 340 eggs per year.

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Learning Process Based on My Own Experienced – Part 1 – Science 28
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Black Cobra Chili Plants – Food 31
- The Rainbow Before Evening : White Hominy Pearls Tossed with Coconut Shreds – Part 1 – Food 32
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Why are We Worry with Human Extinction? - Science 29
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Leprosy is One of the Oldest Ancient Diseases - Part 2 - Healthy Life 27

The American Robin in the Yard – Nature 55

Even though birds' population and species are decreasing since several years ago, our backyard is still visited by some important birds.

Image 1- An American Robin on the ground

American Robin with scientific name Turdus migratorious is one of birds comes frequently to our backyard at early Spring to Summer every year.

We have noticed the presence of the birds by their sounds in the morning until before noon. The sound of American Robins is quite familiar in our yards during Spring and Summer.

The American Robin is a common bird in our areas. As suggested by Melissa Witte Berninger (2021: The most abundant bird in America may surprise you!) that American Robin is abundant bird in North America.

Image 2- The bird looks curious at me

The bird population is about 37 million individuals. The number of American Robin is much more compared to house finches, mourning doves and red winged blackbirds.

Image 3- The bird starts to run away.

What do you think about American Robin in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : What is Brain Plasticity? - Part 1 – Brain Plasticity 1
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Mural Paintings by Local Artists – Art 8
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Commercial Firewood in Our City, Baton Rouge
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Winter Hummingbird at Our Community – Science 26
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Mediterranean Diet and Alzheimer's Prevention – Part 1 - Alzheimer's 11

A Duck Lays Eggs in the Pot – Nature 54

We have an empty (no plants) pot on the patio, and planned to sow flower’s seed by next summer.

Image 1- Three eggs in the pot.

A couple day ago, we saw 3 eggs in the pot. Since the eggs bigger than chicken’s eggs size, then we guessed the eggs belong to a duck.

What species of a duck is?

One of neighbors suggested that the duck should be a Mallard, it is because one of eggs with “light blue” color. We don’t know whether true or not, we have no idea at all.

Anas platyrhynchos is a scientific name for the Mallard, and common duck species in the USA.

Image 2- A Mallard in the city park

We think it is better to wait “mother duck” to come to see her eggs, then we know the species of duck.

Meanwhile, we keep watching the eggs from the raccoons. A lot of raccoon in our areas, they love eggs like crazy.

Image 3- Is green one belongs to Mallard?

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Do You Know Cashew Milk? – Part 2 - Food 27
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Some Facts about Pomegranate – Healthy Life 26
- The Rainbow Before Evening : A House for “Quarantined for Life” - Part 2 – Healthy Life 25
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Have you ever Tasted Boiled Peanuts? - Food 29
- The Rainbow Before Evening : What is Brain Plasticity? - Part 1 – Brain Plasticity 1

Owls Population at our Neighborhood – Nature 53

About 5 to 10 years ago, we normally heard owls sound in great numbers after midnight. It seems that owls population was “quite a lot” in that time.

Image 1- The owl observes small critters.

Based on Google ID, the image of owl (Image 1) is identified as a Barred Owl with scientific name is Strix varia.

Even though the owls population is decreasing in our neighborhood recently, the barred owl is very common raptor in our city, Baton Rouge as of reported by LSU media (2021: LSU Researchers Study Baton Rouge Barred Owls).

They may live or be found in the nearby forest, city parks, big trees and even on the electric poles around our city.

Image 2- Pine trees, just illustration

In the nature, the owls may eat snakes, rabbits and creatures which are living in water such as craw-fish.

We know at our neighborhood that the owls consume rats, squirrels, mice and even pets like smaller dogs and cats.

Image 3- Owls sitting on the electric pole

Do you see owls at your neighborhood? How abundance?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Canadian Geese Live Permanently in Neighborhood – Part 2- Science 23
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The SHIELD is a New Hope to Protect Our Brain – Part 3 - Alzheimer's 10
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Differences between American and Italian Mozzarella Cheeses – Food 28
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Differences between American and Italian Mozzarella Cheeses – Food 28
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Wild Bees are Visiting Our Backyard – Part 1 - Nature 43

Blooming of Amaryllis at Neighborhood – Nature 52

Temperature is quite good in our areas in recent days. We saw blooming of several flowers, one of them is Amaryllis. This could be mean that Spring is coming.

Image 1- Amaryllis at the corner of Neighborhood

Amaryllis is a scientific name for a genus with two well known different species in the world:

- Amaryllis belladonna
- and Amaryllis paradisicola.

Amaryllis belladonna is believed from South Africa, while Amaryllis paradisicola is Mediterranian origin.

Both species are growing very well during Spring seasons in our city, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Image 2- In front of a neighbor house

As you may know that Amaryllis is a perennial plant, the flowers are back to re-blooming every Spring times.

The re- blooming could be for years and years, because the plant life span is estimated to reach 75 years.

What make us love to the plants are due to their unique flower colors and foliage forms. They look so beautiful, and one of perfect flowers for outdoor or yards.

Image 3- Amaryllis flowers in the pot

Have you seen this plant in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Young Red Tail Hawk Caught a Squirrel – Science – 24
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The SHIELD is a New Hope to Protect Our Brain – Part 2 - Alzheimer's 10
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Nuts of Pine Trees in the Park – Nature 42
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Fruits with flavored chia in cups – Part 2 – Food 25
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Simple Decorations for Halloween and Thanksgiving around Our Neighborhood

Bonsai Show in Our City – Part 1 - Nature 51

Bonsai society has regular shows in our city, Baton Rouge in a year. Members and whoever interest are encouraged to come and participate in the show.

Image 1- A sign of bonsai show

When we visited one of the show, no more than 100 trees are displayed, and the visitors are less than 2 dozen. However, we think that quite reasonable numbers for a small room.

About 15 people were gathering. I guessed they both a member of society and just a common people like us.

I knew from society and other several sources about favorite trees as bonsais trees in our areas.

Image 2- A bonsai of Bougain villae tree

The names of top bonsai trees in our state, Louisiana are following:

- Bald cypress
- Trident maple
- Japanese Lace Leaf Red Maple
- Chinese Elm
- Brazilian Rain Tree

Image 3- Two most beautiful bonsai

Several beautiful bonsai trees are displayed in entrance and center room of show.

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- Rainbow Evening : Sweet Tangerine at Backyard – Food 26
- Simple Homemade Coconut Oil glazed Beef Jerky- Food 24
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Are Oak Trees Good for Firewood? - Nature 41
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Using of Cordless Electrostatic Sprayer for Killing Virus - Part 2 – Science 21
- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Young Red Tail Hawk Caught a Squirrel – Science – 24