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

Is Brisk Walking better than Slow Walk? - Part 1 - Healthy Life 28

We walk almost 3 times a week, except rain and other reasons such as too hot (above 30* C or 86* F) or too cold (below 10* C or 50* F).

Image 1- One of walking or jogging areas in my neighborhood.

Our walking is quite slow with about 35 minutes length of time in our city garden or neighborhood areas.

Just reading several papers or popular articles about brisk walking. Then, what is brisk walking by quantity measures?

Here some of information concerning brisk walking:

- 100 steps per minute
- 4.5 km to 4.75 km (2.8 mile to 2.95 mile) per hour for older persons
- 5.3 km to 5.4 km (3.3 mile to 5.4 mile) per hour for younger persons

Image 2- A neighborhood area

As reported by ScienceDaily (March 16, 2021) that brisk walking leads to have good: cardiovascular and heart health

Hence, fast walkers could be related to physical fitness. This measure, together with normal Body Mass Index (BMI) are more able to cope with external stressors, include infection diseases.

Image 3- Another corner of our neighborhood

# To be continue to part 2

## Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Organic Vs Natural Foods – Part 3 – Food 9
- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Traditional Product of Louisiana – King Cake – Part 2
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Do You Know Ghost Orchids? - Part 1 – Nature 14
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Organic Vs Natural Foods – Part 4 – Food 9
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Do You Know Ghost Orchids? - Part 2 – Nature 14

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

Watermelon in the Summer Times

Since daily temperature is above 30* C (86* F), watermelon is one of popular fruits in our areas.

Image 1- Watermelons, sold at junction.

The fact that watermelon plants need warm temperatures to grow well. This fruit season is different from state to state in the USA. Our state, Louisiana has watermelon season is about early June to late August.

There are plenty of watermelon’s varieties, about 1,200 varieties in the world, but only 200 varieties have economic values.

Our state has well known variety called as “Washington Parish watermelons.” The sweet and good quality watermelons. All watermelons which are grown in the Washington Parish have “red stickers” from local grower association.

Image 2- A variety of watermelon in our state, Louisiana.

During the season, we may easily found watermelons either in the farmer markets or sold in the junctions of streets with reasonable price.

Image 3- A watermelon with red sticker, look unique for me.

Do you love watermelon during summer time?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Outlawed - An Epic Western Novel – Part 2 - Reading 4
- The Rainbow Before Evening : What is Knockout Animals ? - Part 2- Science 8
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Disease that Kills 28.4 million People – Part 1- Cardiovascular 2
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Organic Vs Natural Foods – Part 1 – Food 9
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Disease that Kills 28.4 million People – Part 2- Cardiovascular 2