Releasing an Armadillo Back into the Wild - Nature 104

We have been seen a burrow hole in our yard. One of our neighbors tell us that she saw an armadillo.

Image 1 - An armadillo in the trap

Another day, the neighbor has observed Armadillos went under the fence, then cross our driveway, then cross the street to her yards.

How to discourage Armadillos to come and to dig holes in our yards?

Some neighbors suggested to use Armadillo Scram, a repellent to deter Armadillos to burrow or damage yards, gardens, lawn or landscapes.

Other neighbors also recommended to use cayenne pepper either sprinkled or mixed with water, and then to be sprayed on our yards or flowerbeds or bed covers (pine straw / bark).

Image 2- Illustration only.

Unfortunately, both Armadillo Scram and Cayenne pepper just work for about 30 days, the Armadillos come back to our yards.

Fig 03- A burrow hole, dug by Armadillo.

The wildlife office suggested to put a trap. Yes, we got one, then based on the recommends from wildlife department, we released the Armadillo back into the wild, quite far from our neighborhood.

Fig 04- The Armadillo, quite big

Have you seen this animal in the nature?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Newborn Sea Turtles are almost All Females – Science 16

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Does Red Bell Pepper Contain more Vitamin C than Orange? - Part 1 – Food 21

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JJ

The Mexican Hat Flowers in the City Garden – Part 2 – Nature 72

You may read previous post (Part 1):
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Mexican Hat Flowers in the City Garden – Part 1 – Nature 72

Image 1- Brown stalk of Mexican hat flower

Mexican hat flowers can be found in almost all states of America and even to several states (Provinces) of Canada

The blooming is around mid summer until fall seasons, about two months. The plant produced flowers with colors of:

- dark red yellow
- brown
- orange
- yellow and other colors combines

Image 2- Plenty of Mexican hat flowers

Since its rich of nectar and attractive colors, people grow this flower in the garden to attract pollinators.

Image 03- Blooming of Mexican hat flowers

Well known pollinators visit the Mexican hat flowers are:
- butterfly
- bee

Image 4- Several Mexican hat flowers in the garden.

Have you seen the Mexican hat flowers in the nature?
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Blooming of Flowers in the Autumn - Nature 103

 As you know, many flowers blooming in the autumn as well as in the spring. There are about 100 species of flower blooming in our state.

Image 1- A Bee on the "wild" lily flowers  

Few favorites autumn flowers in our state are Asters (Symphyotrichum sp.), Mexican bush sunflower (Encelia farinosa), Golden rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata), Ironweed (Vernonia altissima), American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), Sedums (Sedum sp.), Marigolds (Tagetes sp.) and Zinnias (Zinnia sp.).

In our neighborhood, we may find some flowers which blooming in the Fall seasons such as: Lily, Daisy, Lantana, Plumbago and Canna.

Actually, we may observe these flowers in the wild habitats include in the forest, swamps and meadows. 

Image 2- Daisy flowers, fall season.

These flowers known for their roles to provide nectar (food sources) for many pollinators: bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Image 3- Lantana (white) flowers

Image 4- Plumbago flowers, fall season.

Image 5 - Canna flowers, blooming in the fall

Image 6- A butterfly visit Lantana flowers

What species of flowers blooming in your areas during fall season?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Stretching to Prevent Leg Cramps - Healthy Life 23

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Do You Like Boba Bubble in Your Drink? - Part 1 – Food 20

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- The Rainbow Before Evening : Declining of Golden Swamp Warblers Population – Nature 35

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An Otter from a River - Nature 102

We find an otter crossing the street in our neighborhood sometimes. There are several reasons this river otter did it.  

Image 1- An otter starts to cross street.

We think the otter crossing a road to find water or other rivers which may provide foods, and even shelters or mates.

Otters have a lot of predators, some of them might be surprising that are wolves, bears and coyotes. So, otters might try to escape from their predators by crossing the streets. 

Other reason is just curiosity, otters might to explore their environment by crossing the roads who knows they will find new opportunities. Unfortunately, they are not aware the danger of traffic.

Image 2- The Otter crossing in action.

In our areas, river otters consume fish (perch, sunfish, catfish and carp), frog, turtle, mussels and crayfish.

Image 3- The otter approaching a drain.

Actually, this animal will consume whatever foods which are available surrounding it, called as the opportunistic feeder.

Image 4- The otter reaches a drain's gate.

Have you seen this animal around your areas?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : 8 Eggs of Bluebird for Incubation – Nature 33

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Proper Times to Take Pills – Part 2 – Healthy Life 22

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Stretching to Prevent Leg Cramps - Healthy Life 23

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Do You Like Boba Bubble in Your Drink? - Part 1 – Food 20

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Lantana for Summer Project in My Backyard – Nature 34

Mushrooms Found in the Yard - Nature 101

 Actually, we found several kinds of mushroom or fungi in our yards, both poisonous and edible ones.

Image 1- Mushroom in our backyard.

5 most common mushrooms that be found in the yard of our state, Louisiana are:

- Chanterelle mushroom (Cantharellus cibarius)

- Shaggy mane mushroom (Coprinus comatus)

- Puffball mushroom (Calvatia gigantea)

- Enoki mushroom (Flammulina velutipes)

- Portobello mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)

of above 5 mushrooms, only Shaggy mane mushroom (Coprinus comatus) is poisonous.

Image 2 - Baxkside of mushroom

The mushroom has a toxin called coprine, which can cause diarrhea and vomiting. Be careful, we can't destroy this toxin by cooking.

Image 3 - Rotten mushroom in the yard

Based on GoogleID, the image 1 was identified as puffball mushroom (Calvatia gigantea), and the image 2 was a parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera). Both are common mushrooms, can be found in many different places.

Image 4 - Several varieties of corns, illustration

Have you recognized mushrooms in your yards or gardens?

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The Red Shoulder Hawk at Neighborhood – Part 2 - Nature 71

You may read the previous post (Part 1):
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Red Shoulder Hawk at Neighborhood – Part 1 - Nature 71

Image 1- The same red shoulder hawk

Based on GoogleID, it was red shoulder hawk, a medium size hawk and found in the woodland area.

Sadly the frequency of these majestic birds of prey soaring above us on thermals high in the sky is not the almost daily occurrence that we used to see long time ago, about 30 years ago.

We so loved observing the magnificent creatures that live wild in our surrounding habitat. Red tailed hawks, white egrets, blue herons and numerous songbirds and other birds filled our skies and trees with life and song.

Image 2- Painting by local artist, illustration

It’s so rare these days to observe wild birds in their natural habitats. Very sad fact.

Image 3- Another Red Shoulder hawk

Have you seen red shoulder hawk in your areas?

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- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Proper Times to Take Pills – Part 1 – Healthy Life 22
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Free Coffee at Toyota Car Repair Shop
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Is Rising Price due to Greedflation?
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Factors Causing the Late Onset Alzheimer's Diseases – Part 2 - Alzheimer’s 7
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Cooked Snail is One of Favorite Foods in France - Food 19

Plumeria Blooming in the Fall - Nature 100

Our state, Louisiana is known for it heat and humidity, hence as tropical flowers, Plumeria will bloom in the Summer.

Image 1 - Blooming of Plumeria

This beautiful and versatile flower with another common name, frangipani, is native to "tropical" or warm climate areas such as the Caribbean, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico and Central America.

Now, we may observe the Plumeria in many areas of the world, including some states of the USA.

In addition, to popular ornamental flower, in many developing countries, this flower is used for traditional medicine, especially to promote relaxation and help to bring down stress.

Image 2 - A single Plumeria flower

Some people use this flower leaves for tea. People love the tea, because of its floral flavor and delicate.

Image 3 - Leaves of Plumeria plant.

The fragrant of flowers is also used for aromatherapy. As we know that aromatherapy is "a holistic healing treatment to promote health."

Image 4- Two flowers of Plumeria.

The flower has plenty colors, some of them are purple, yellow, white, pink and red.

Image 5- Yellow flower of Plumeria

Have you seen this flower?

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