The Alligator in the Lake - Nature 114

We spotted a small alligator in the one of our neighborhood lake few days ago when we just walking around the lake. 

Image 1 - A small alligator, swimming.

We have seen small children playing in the backyards around the lake. We don't know whether their parents aware or not of an alligator nearby. We live not that far from this lake.

You might surprise with the size of alligators in our areas:

- the largest size could reach 14 feet (14.3 meter) with weight 500 pound (227 kg).

- the smaller size is about 7 feet (2.1 meters) with weight 250 pound (113 kg).

When talked to neighbors who live around or closer to the lake, they said there are actually two other larger alligators.

Image 2 - A neighbor house

They have tried to catch alligator, but not success yet. Some suggested, may be time to get professional help.

Image 3 - Just illustration photo.

They would call wildlife and fisheries or homeowners association to remove the alligators as soon as possible.

Image 4 - A little alligator in the lake.

Have you seen the wild alligator in the nature?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Do You Know Cashew Milk? – Part 1 - Food 27

- The Rainbow Before Evening : What Critters are Consumed by Carnivorous Plants in Louisiana? - Science 25

- The Rainbow Before Evening : A House for “Quarantined for Life” - Part 1 – Healthy Life 25

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Paintings Show in Mini Maker Faire – Art 5

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Canadian Geese Live Permanently in Neighborhood – Part 2- Science 23

The White Bunny Runs around the Corner - Nature 113

We spotted a white little bunny when we walk regularly. We believe the rabbit is a domestic rabbit. 

Image 1 - A bunny runs around the corner.

It is mean that the bunny is a pet, not a wild rabbit. Another possibility, the white coat bunny is kept or let it plays outdoor, since the bunny need space to exercise, play or explore.   

Bunnies need special attentions sometimes, include their food. Some foods of domestic bunnies are fresh vegetables.

Moreover, there are plenty popular breeding of domestic bunnies in our areas or city, Baton Rouge, LA. At least, there are about 12 most popular breeding which are sold in the markets.

Image 2 - One of corners in neighborhood

We are quite confident that the rabbit in our images (image 1 and 2) is belong to the "Netherland dwarf" breeding.

Image 3 - Another corner, illustration only

The Netherland Dwarf breeding is characterized by its gentle nature, playful personalities and small size.

Image 4 - The bunny just stops moving.

Do you know about kinds of bunny breeding (species)?

# Previous postings:

- 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

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Do You Know Cashew Milk? – Part 1 - Food 27

The Purslane Flowers in the Pot - Nature 112

Some of our neighbors choose Purslanes as one of their popular flowers to grow in the pots and containers.

Image 1 - Purslane flowers in the pot

The flowers have plenty colors from single colors to bicolor to multiple colors. Examples of colors are:

- yellow, red, pink, orange and purple (single colors)

- pink with yellow, and white with red (bi-colored)

- combined of red, green, pink and yellow (multi-colored)

Identification by GoogleID, the scientific name of Purslane flower is Portulaca oleracea. The flower common names are Moss rose purslane, Portulaca and common purslane. 

Image 2 - The liittle Purslanes.

The flower is native to North America, Europe and Asia, but we may find the flower in many parts of the world nowadays.

Image 3 - Two cute cats, illustration only.

This flower is easy and low cost to care, together with just need limit space, hence, to be great choice for gardeners.

Image 4 - Yellow Purslane flowers in the pots.

Do you familiar with this flower?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Simple Homemade Coconut Oil glazed Beef Jerky – Part 2 - 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

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The SHIELD is a New Hope to Protect Our Brain – Part 2 - Alzheimer's 10

The Roles of Dirt Dauber in the Nature - Nature 111

 Many people called it as a "Dirt Dauber," since the insect makes its nest with a kind of mud.

Image 1- A wasp nearby its nest.

By GoogleID, the insect is identified as wasp or paper wasp with scientific name Pachodynerus sp. 

This wasp loves to build nests in shelter areas include under the house roof or inside structures made by men. 

There are many roles of Pachodynerus sp in nature. Two most important roles, my opinion, are:

- Pollination

- Biocontrol

Image 2 - A tall building, illustration

The Pachodynerus wasps help plants (trees, shrubs and flowers) in their reproduction in order to exist in nature.

Image 3 - A unique structures, illustration.

This wasp may control pests such as to control potato beetles. The beetles are well known as known as pests of potatoes in Colorado.

Image 4 - The wasp in the nest.

Do you know this kind of wasp?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Watching the Bluebird Broods Playing Around – Nature 40

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Fruits with flavored chia in cups – Part 1 – Food 25

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Canadian Geese Live Permanently in Neighborhood – Part 1- Science 23

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Sweet Tangerine at Backyard – Food 26

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Simple Homemade Coconut Oil glazed Beef Jerky – Part 2 - Food 24

JJ

A Little Fig Tree in the Yard - Nature 110

 Many people love fig fruit, but some avoids consuming it because of sweetness or high calorie contents, especially for diabetes patients.

Image 1 - A little fig tree in the yard.

The scientific name of fig tree is Ficus carica. Other names of fig tree are edible fig tree, common fig tree or just a fig tree.

The plant native to Asia and Mediterranean regions, hence, it is good to grow in the states with warmer climate.

We may find this plant in the states such as:

- Louisiana, Texas, Florida

- California, Oregon

- Georgia, North Carolina and many others.

Image 2- The plant starts to produce fruit.

If we plant the fig trees in our yard, they could produce the first fruit about 4 years. Some people said between 3 to 6 years.

Image 3 - The young fig fruit.

The timing to begin to bear fruit, sure, depend on several factors, some of them are:

- variety

- climates

- and growing conditions.

Image 4 - The ripe fruit, ready to be picked up.

From the time fruit emerges (sets), the ripe of fruit needs about 70 day, then the fruits are ready to be picked up.  

Image 5 - Several ripe figs fruit.

Price of fig fruit is relative expensive compared to other 10 favorite fruits sold by many groceries, includes Walmart.

Image 6 - The fig plant, green.

Do you like fig's fruit?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Tax Free Outlets in the Special Area of Our State

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Using of Cordless Electrostatic Sprayer for Killing Virus - Part 1 – Science 21

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Blue Crab Turns Red Crab – Science 22

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The SHIELD is a New Hope to Protect Our Brain – Part 1 - Alzheimer's 10

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Watching the Bluebird Broods Playing Around – Nature 40

The Free Ranging Chickens - Nature 109

 We might find free ranging chickens in rural areas or countryside in America, if we lucky enough.

 

Image 1 - The free ranging rooster.

Just to let you know that we have two previous posted related to chickens:

- The Rainbow : Are Buff Orpington Chickens Excellent Pets? - Nature 93

- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Rooster on the Run - Nature 90

In case you don't know, the free ranging chicken is a chicken or chickens roaming at outdoor freely. The chickens have advantages to access sunshine, fresh air and food sources naturally.

We buy eggs of the free ranging chickens at suburban areas of our city sometimes. The eggs are sold by small vendors or chicken's owners.

Image 2 - Chicken eggs, sold by a vendor.

The eggs contain vitamin D and "higher in omega-3 fatty acids," better than caged or conventional chickens.

Image 3 - A chick from crochet, illustration

The chickens less chance to be infected by diseases, include E.coli and Salmonella, since they are healthier by moving around and doing exercises.

Image 4 - A caterpillar, just illustration

Image 5 - A Hen and her chicks

Have you tried eggs of far-ranging chickens?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Dungeness Crabs from Gulf of Mexico – Science 19

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Simple Homemade Coconut Oil glazed Beef Jerky – Part 1- Food 24

- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Red Tail Hawk in Our Neighborhood – Science – 20

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Young Coconut Water as Folk Remedies – Part2

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Tax Free Outlets in the Special Area of Our State

Should We Install Solar Panels in Our Roof? - Part 2 - Science 38

You may read previous post (Part 1):
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Should We Install Solar Panels in Our Roof? - Part 1 - Science 38

Image 1- Solar panels on the roof.

Much research showed that housing value could increase by up to 20 times if we have a 5 kW solar system on our roof.

In term of dollar, solar panels could make housing value up to US$ 24,000 in the market. Quite good for investment.

It is estimated that 20 solar panels need roof space of 5 hundreds square feet, then, it would produce 5,000 watts.

However, in Louisiana, let’s say we pay US$ 150 per month for electric bill, we might need solar panels system to produce 9500 watts.

Image 2 - A lot of pumpkins, illustration only

Interestingly, the solar system may last for 25 years. We avoid rising cost of electricity for so long, hence, save thousands of dollars.

Image 3 - A small house with solar panels in Louisiana 

(credit to Sunpro Solar).

Should we install solar panels in our roof?

# Previous postings:
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Learning a New Language Against Alzheimer's Disease – Part 2 - Alzheimer's 9

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Asparagus Contains High Dietary Fiber – Food 23

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Why Should not We Take Aspirin Daily? - Part 2 - Healthy Life 24

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Dungeness Crabs from Gulf of Mexico – Science 19