The Opossum in Neighborhood – Nature 83

We often see Opossums across on our yard in the evening. Some neighbors saw these critters are able to climb trees and roofs.

Image 1- A baby Opossum

The critters are quite common in our neighborhood recently, luckily they are harmless and not bother to residents.

Opossums are known as omnivore, so they can many kinds of food, some of them are fruits, vegetables, insects and small mammals.

They love to eat insects such as ticks, spiders, ants and Cockroaches. The Opossum also like to consume garden’s pests that are slugs and snails.

Interestingly, Opossums consume ticks in enormous amount, could reach 5,000 (Five Thousand) ticks per season.

Image 2- Geranium, illustration only

Since Opossums may control certain pests and insects, hence they are considered as one of important critters in the ecosystem.

Unfortunately, Opossum they may raid garbage cans, and hiding in the attic. If we think this is a problem, we may call Animal control officers or hire wildlife removal company.

Image 3- Crochet, Illustration

Are there Opossum in your neighborhood?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Could Botulinum Toxin be Turned to Beneficial Substance? - Part 2 – Science 10
- The Rainbow Before Evening : What Autumn is Like in My Town Baton Rouge LA – Part 1 - Nature 15
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Parents Behaviors When Caring a Baby – Part 1 - Science 11
- The Rainbow Before Evening : What Autumn is Like in My Town, Baton Rouge LA – Part 2 - Nature 15
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Could Botulinum Toxin be Turned to Beneficial Substance? - Part 3 – Science 10

Blooming of Hibiscus in Louisiana – Nature 82

We posted about giant Hibiscus flower previously:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Giant Hibiscus Flowers are Found in Walking Trails – Nature 26 

Image 1- Two colors of Hibiscus

Hibiscus flowers origin from tropical and subtropical areas, they are Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Pacific Islands.

There are about 200 species world wide. Our state, Louisiana has four species of native Hibiscus: Hibiscus aculeatus, Hibiscus grandiflorus, Hibiscus lasiocarpos and Hibiscus moscheutos.

Cajun hibiscus is one of popular flowers in our state. It is cross breeding of two native flowers: Hibiscus lasiocarpos and Hibiscus moscheutos. You may see this flower at Image 4 below.

Image 2- A Hibiscus flower

Some people plant Hibiscus to attract butterfly and hummingbirds. These critters make garden more attractive and beautiful.

Image 3- A star Hibiscus

Butterfly and hummingbirds love to visit Hibiscus because this flower provides sweet nectar as a source of food.

Image 4- Red Hibiscus flowers

How many types of Hibiscus in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Memoir of Chasten Buttigieg – Part 1 – Reading 5
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Could Botulinum Toxin be Turned to Beneficial Substance? - Part 1 – Science 10
- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Memoir of Chasten Buttigieg – Part 2 – Reading 5
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Can a Poet be a Millionaire? - Art 4
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Could Botulinum Toxin be Turned to Beneficial Substance? - Part 2 – Science 10

We Saw a Beautiful Snake in the Yard – Nature 81

When we were going outdoor to see our plants, we saw the snake, look quite pretty. The size is not so big.

Image 1- A beautiful snake

Based on GoogleID and supported by one of our neighbors, the snake is Speckled king snake.

This nake is native to the USA, and found a lot in southern states such as our state, Louisiana.

Lampropeltis holbrooki is a scientific name for Speckled king snake. The snake has a black body with small yellow-white specks. They look beautiful.

A wonderful snake for our property. Highly beneficial. We are honored to be hosting it!

Image 2- Flowers, illustration only

The snake is immune to the venom of venomous snakes, and it will often eat venomous snakes as prey.

King snake is active during the day (diurnal). Since the snakes are predators, their diets are shrews, lizards and mice.

Image 3- Another King snake

Do you know about King snake?

## Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Overdosing Epidemic Caused 100,000 Died in the USA – Science 9
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Can Texting Make You Shopping More and Fat? - Part 2 - Healthy Life 17
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Annual Christmas Parade in Our Neighborhood
- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Memoir of Chasten Buttigieg – Part 1 – Reading 5

Zinnia Flowers Grow Well in the Neighborhood – Nature 80

Zinnias are believed come from warmer areas such Mexico and Central America, so no surprise the flower grow well in our state, Louisiana.

Image 1- Zinnias in the garden

The blooming is observed from late Spring to early Fall. One of blooming flowers during hot temperature.

Over 20 species of zinnia in the world, but only a few of them are commonly grown in gardens.

Zinnia elegans is one of popular Zinnias in our state, Louisiana. This species has a lot of unique varieties.

Other commonly grown zinnia species are Zinnia haageana, Zinnia angustifolia, and Zinnia marylandica.

Image 2- One of beautiful Zinnia

Zinnias are well know flowers to attract many pollinators such as hummingbirds, bees, butterfly, moths, flies, and beetles.

Image 3- A pink Zinnia.

These pollinators play an important role in pollination, and they help to ensure that zinnias can reproduce and thrive.

Image 4- Several zinias, blooming.

It is said that zinnias are also easy to grow and care for. They do well in full sun and well-drained soil, and they can be planted in a variety of settings.

Image 5- Two pink Zinnias

Zinnia flowers are a great choice for pollinator gardens, and they can also add a splash of color to any landscape.

Image 6- A little corner with Zinnia

Do you love Zinnia?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Do You Know Ghost Orchids? - Part 2 – Nature 14
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Can Texting Make You Shopping More and Fat? - Part 1 - Healthy Life 17
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Old Car – Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1970s
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Organic Vs Natural Foods – Part 5 – Food 9
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Overdosing Epidemic Caused 100,000 Died in the USA – Science 9

Male and Female House Finch Visiting Feeder Recently – Nature 79

Our bird feeder was visited by two house finches recently. We believe, the two birds are male and female.

Image 1- Two birds, house finches at feeder

The different between female and male of house finch that generally, females tend to have gray brown color in their body, while male’s body has red patches colors and brown on its back.

House finches with scientific name Haemorhous mexicanus, actually live in their breeding ground all year round.

However, some of house finches do migrate short distance from north to south during winter season.

Image 2- Plants, just illustration

In nature, house finches are known to consume seeds, fruits and other foods. They may also eat insects.

Image 3- Male and female house finches.

Have you seen house finches in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Disease that Kills 28.4 million People – Part 2- Cardiovascular 2
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Organic Vs Natural Foods – Part 2 – Food 9
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Disease that Kills 28.4 million People – Part 3 - Cardiovascular 2
- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Traditional Product of Louisiana – King Cake – Part 1
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Organic Vs Natural Foods – Part 3 – Food 9

Gladiolus is one of Favorite Flowers in America – Nature 78

People love Gladiolus with different reasons. Some said due to symbols of power (strength) and proud.

Image 1- Yellow Gladiolus in the yard.

Others love its colors. Some of its colors are yellow, white, red, pink, purple, orange and combine colors.

I love its shape and colors. It is include one of ten favorite flowers in America. Other favorite flowers are Lavender, Sunflower, Rose, Peony, Hydrangea, Dahlia, Tulip, Sweet Pea and Gardenia. Gladiolus flower is an excellent gift for wedding.

The flower, Gladiolus spp has plenty species, about 300 species, spreading in Africa, Mediterranean regions and Europe.

Image 2- Gladiolus with white color

Image 3- Gladiolus with tall spike.

What flowers do you love?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Surprising Fact - Cooked Shrimps are Cheaper than Raw Ones – Part 2 - Food 8
- The Rainbow Before Evening : When should I get the Botox Cosmetic? - Part 2 – Healthy Life 16
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Outlawed - An Epic Western Novel – Part 1 - Reading 4
- The Rainbow Before Evening : What is Knockout Animals ? - Part 1- Science 8
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Outlawed - An Epic Western Novel – Part 2 - Reading 4

Nesting of Mississippi Kites in the Areas – Nature 77

Some people might be wrong to distinguish the different between Bald Eagles and Mississippi Kites.

Image 1- Several Mississippi Kites

Actually, the simple difference that Bald eagles have large, hooked yellow beaks that are unmistakable.

Well, a group of Mississippi Kites must be nesting in the area. This is my second time seeing them within a few weeks.

Nowadays, we may observe Bald Eagle living nearby rivers, lakes, marshes to urban areas (The Rainbow Before Evening : Are Bald Eagles not Endangered Species Anymore? - Nature 50)

Image 2- Empty nest, illustration only

In respect to food source, as you might know the Bald Eagle consumes on small animals such as rabbits, snakes, waterfowl and fish.

In case of Mississippi Kites they mostly live on “Crop-damaging insects” such as cicadas and grasshoppers. However, they have been known to eat small mammals too.

Image 3- A single Mississippi Kite

Have you seen Mississippi Kites in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Traditional Books versus Electronic Books for Children – Part 1 – Reading 3
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Why the Moon Has Thousands of Small Aliens? - Part 2 – Science 7
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Traditional Books versus Electronic Books for Children – Part 2 – Reading 3
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Surprising Fact - Cooked Shrimps are Cheaper than Raw Ones – Part 1 - Food 8
- The Rainbow Before Evening : When should I get the Botox Cosmetic? - Part 1 – Healthy Life 16

Unidentified Bird at the Neighborhood – Nature 76

We just have a visitor, quite difficult to identify. Several friends have different opinions about the species of the bird.

Image 1- A Finch on the feeder for hummingbird?

Some guesses the bird species are following:

- a house sparrow
- a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak
- a finch (a red finch or a house finch)
- a cardinal or a female cardinal

Then, as always, we search through GoogleID, the machine offer two possibilities: first, the Northern cardinal and the second is a house finch. I think the best guess is a house finch.

Image 2- Flowers, just illustration

It is because the finch has “larger beak” compared to other birds, but smaller compared to Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Image 3- Sky, Just for illustration

You may read about Rose-breasted Grosbeak at previous posts:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Rose breasted grosbeak Comes to Our Neighborhood – Nature 23
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Diet of Rose breasted grosbeak in Nature – Nature 25

Image 4- A finch? Look enjoy on the feeder.

Can you identify what is the bird species? (please see images 1 and 3)

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- The Rainbow Before Evening : New Parents often Faced Depression – Part 1 - Healthy Life 15
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