A Red Headed Skink - Nature 178

The first time I saw this critter, it scared me. We thought it was a dangerous snake that was ready to bite us. 

Image 01 - A scary critter

We believe this Red Headed Skink is one of native skinks of our state, Louisiana. They might eat:

- bugs

- insects

- lizards.

Based on my reading from several sources, the creature can change color and sex as it grows older.  

Interesting?

Image 02 - A Red Headed Skink

The skink is very skittish. Actually, the critter more scared of you than the other way around.  They are harmless. Good outdoor fun for a cat.

Image 03 - A Red Headed Skink runs away

Have you seen a Red Headed Skink in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Grapefruit Sold on the Sidewalk - Food 50

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Apple Snail - Nature 153

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Swallowtail Caterpilar - Nature 154

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Canna Lily in the Small Garden - Nature 155

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Less Common Black Fur Squirrels in the City - Nature 156

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The American Burweed in the Yard - Nature 177

We saw a plant around our house. We try to find out what plant is this? From the internet it is a kind of weed.

Image 01 - The American Burweed in the Yard

Based on the image provided, this plant appears to be American burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolius).

Here are a few key details about this plant appearance: It is a fast-growing annual with robust, erect stems and serrated or lobed.

This weed is often considered a weedy native species that colonizes disturbed soil, such as gardens or cleared areas.

While considered a weed by some, it is a native species that provides nectar for pollinators and cover for wildlife.

Image 02 - Blooming of fireweed.

Interestingly, the young leaves could be consumed, but the taste might be not pleasant for some people.

Image 03 - Weed in the Yard.

Do you recognize this plant?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Pagoda Plant or Giant Salvia? - Nature 151

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Assassin Bug in the Yard - Nature 152

- A Self-Service Honey Stand at Neighborhood - Food 49

- The Rainbow Before Evening : A little cutie Bunny at the Corner

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Grapefruit Sold on the Sidewalk - Food 50

The Peak of Bird Migration is being Seen in Our Areas - Science 41

As you might know, the bird migration takes place twice a year in American continent: Spring and Autumn migrations.

Image 01 - Bird migration, illustration

200 million of bird could fly through our city, Baton Rouge, LA. This peak season is around the third week of April:

- April 21, about 200 million bird doing migration

- After April 21, around million birds fly over our city

We love to observe this migration. Few species of migration birds are: 

- Hummingbirds

- Mississippi Kite

- Bunting

Image 02 - Whistling ducks

Image 03 - Purple Gallinule.

Does your city have bird migrations?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Pears on the Yard - Food 47

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Herd of Goats at Neighborhood

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Harvest of Early 2025 - Food 48

- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Sweet Polish Chicken - Nature 150

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Pagoda Plant or Giant Salvia? - Nature 151

The Honey Melon from the Small Garden - Food 53

We have a Honey Melon by accident in our small garden. It is actually "a garbage garden" as a place to throw waste foods. 

Image 01 - A honey Melon.

We mainly tossed scraps (chop scraps) of fruit and vegetable into our small "garbage" garden.

After a while, surprisingly, we found a honey melon, also well known as honeydew. It then grows well.

As I know, there are two varieties of honey melon:

1) Yellow inside

2) Red inside.

We love the yellow one, it is because of its flavor is like honey sweet.

Image 02 - Yellow Honey melon.

Have you tasted Honey melon?

# Previous postings:

- Recognizing Faces and Ramachandran Case – Part 1 - Alzheimer's 16

- Rainbow Evening : The Beautiful Bright Green Luna Moth - Nature 148

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Hand Painting on the Glass - Art 15

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Why is my Hen Molting? - Nature 149

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Pears on the Yard - Food 47

A Box Turtle Passig through our House - Nature 176

 The little tortoise (Box turtle) come to visit us a couple days ago. We offered some carrots and water.

Image 01 - A tortoise passing through.

She didn’t seem too interested. She enjoyed a bit of sunshine on the balcony and then wandered off.

The Box turtles are native to our state. In nature, they consume:

- insects (caterpillars, grasshoppers etc)

- mollusk (snails and slugs)

- earthworms.

- small animals.

Actually, the box turtles may consume vegetation and fruit as well.

Image 02 - Another box turtle.

Do you know about box turtle?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Passion Flower in the Yard - Nature 144

- The Eggs of Apple Snail on the Rock of Lake - Nature 145

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Blooming of Supertunia - Nature 146

- The Rainbow Evening : The Velvet Black and Blue Swallowtail - Nature 147

- Recognizing Faces and Ramachandran Case – Part 1 - Alzheimer's 16

The Sunset over the Sky was Breathtaking

 Few days ago, we saw the sunset over the sky. It was breathtaking. So grateful. God's creation.

Image - First photo.

Yes, there is a sunset every day, but beauty like this is rare. This view feels like a real treat to me.

We may observe God's other amazing artworks over the sky, both in the morning and at night, that are:

- great sunrises

- and moon rises

We love seeing the moonrise over the beach. It’s magical when the moon slowly climbs above the ocean horizon.

Image 02 - A beautiful sunset

Image 03 - An amazing view

Do you love watching the sunset?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Evening : Satsumas are Turning to a Brownish Color - Food 45

- The Rainbow Evening : A coyote Carrying a Cat at Neighborhood - Nature 142

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Jam of Fig Fruit - Food 46

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Raising Cows on Local Farms - Nature 143

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Passion Flower in the Yard - Nature 144

Two Peacock in the Front Door - Nature 175

Two visitors came by the front door: a male and a female peacock. Maybe they are lovers on the run.

Image 01 - Two visitors in front door.

Not sure where these came from; they could be from:

- a neighbor, as a pet

- a zoo.

We would check with the zoo to see if they are missing of these birds, a bit of a distance for them though.

Yes, a peacock is a beautiful bird but extremely loud. As we know, they don't like cold weather.

So, they are enjoying living in our areas, a warmer temperature state.

Image 02 - A male peacock.

Has a peacock ever visited your house?

# Previous postings:

- Blending in Pretty Well on the Satsuma Tree - Nature 139

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Farmer’s Market at Downtown

- The Rainbow Evening : Short Lifespans of Male Mosquitoes - Nature 140

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Daddy Longlegs Spider - Nature 141

- The Rainbow Evening : Satsumas are Turning to a Brownish Color - Food 45