The American Robin in the Yard – Nature 55

Even though birds' population and species are decreasing since several years ago, our backyard is still visited by some important birds.

Image 1- An American Robin on the ground

American Robin with scientific name Turdus migratorious is one of birds comes frequently to our backyard at early Spring to Summer every year.

We have noticed the presence of the birds by their sounds in the morning until before noon. The sound of American Robins is quite familiar in our yards during Spring and Summer.

The American Robin is a common bird in our areas. As suggested by Melissa Witte Berninger (2021: The most abundant bird in America may surprise you!) that American Robin is abundant bird in North America.

Image 2- The bird looks curious at me

The bird population is about 37 million individuals. The number of American Robin is much more compared to house finches, mourning doves and red winged blackbirds.

Image 3- The bird starts to run away.

What do you think about American Robin in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : What is Brain Plasticity? - Part 1 – Brain Plasticity 1
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Mural Paintings by Local Artists – Art 8
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Commercial Firewood in Our City, Baton Rouge
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Winter Hummingbird at Our Community – Science 26
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Mediterranean Diet and Alzheimer's Prevention – Part 1 - Alzheimer's 11

Traditional books versus electronic books for children – Part 1 - Reading 13

Last weekend, just stopped by for a cup of cold latte at Starbucks coffee shop inside the Barnes and Noble bookstore.

Image 1- Noah’s ark story

The books in the cart are getting lower price day by day, and there are many novels and children's books. One of the books took my attention is the Noah Ark! That my favorite story.

I took this book and will give it to Cassie, a three year old granddaughter of Ms L. a member of group in our community.

This traditional book brought many thought about reading for the

Even

She told me that

Image 2- Wild fruit, illustration only

Lately many people suggest to use e-book and interactive e-book for children, especially children in 0 to 5 years old. In this age, it is critical for book reading.

Reading to support kids healthy development brain and important for development of vocabulary, literacy, language skill and better academic ability. 

Image 3 – Books on the shelf, illustration

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Do You Know Cashew Milk? – Part 2 - Food 27
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Some Facts about Pomegranate – Healthy Life 26
- The Rainbow Before Evening : A House for “Quarantined for Life” - Part 2 – Healthy Life 25
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Have you ever Tasted Boiled Peanuts? - Food 29
- The Rainbow Before Evening : What is Brain Plasticity? - Part 1 – Brain Plasticity 1

A Duck Lays Eggs in the Pot – Nature 54

We have an empty (no plants) pot on the patio, and planned to sow flower’s seed by next summer.

Image 1- Three eggs in the pot.

A couple day ago, we saw 3 eggs in the pot. Since the eggs bigger than chicken’s eggs size, then we guessed the eggs belong to a duck.

What species of a duck is?

One of neighbors suggested that the duck should be a Mallard, it is because one of eggs with “light blue” color. We don’t know whether true or not, we have no idea at all.

Anas platyrhynchos is a scientific name for the Mallard, and common duck species in the USA.

Image 2- A Mallard in the city park

We think it is better to wait “mother duck” to come to see her eggs, then we know the species of duck.

Meanwhile, we keep watching the eggs from the raccoons. A lot of raccoon in our areas, they love eggs like crazy.

Image 3- Is green one belongs to Mallard?

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Do You Know Cashew Milk? – Part 2 - Food 27
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Some Facts about Pomegranate – Healthy Life 26
- The Rainbow Before Evening : A House for “Quarantined for Life” - Part 2 – Healthy Life 25
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Have you ever Tasted Boiled Peanuts? - Food 29
- The Rainbow Before Evening : What is Brain Plasticity? - Part 1 – Brain Plasticity 1

The Ghosts of Paris by Tara Moss – Part 1 – Reading 12

Tara Moss launched the second thrilling tale of Billie Walker series, The Ghosts of Paris.

Image 1- Cover book, The Ghosts of Paris

Billie Walker is a survivor and widow from war in Europe, then she returned to Sidney, Australia, and reopened her father office that served as a private investigator

The Ghost of Paris is about Billie Walker’s job in helping her client, Vera Montgomery, to investigate her of husband. Mrs. Montgomery.

Vera needs proof either her husband dead or deserted her, so she can decide her own future life. She hired Billie Walker to discover any proof about her husband with fantastic pay.

Image 2- Illustration only

Vera had never heard from her husband for 2 years. After months of Victory in Europe Day, he disappeared in Paris, the last letter from him when he was in Ritz Paris, then she has never gotten the second letter.

Image 3- The back cover of book

She contacts the Bureau of Information Australia, there is zero clue about him.

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Wild Bees are Visiting Our Backyard – Part 1 - Nature 43
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Happy Halloween to Who Celebrates It – Art 6
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Fruits with flavored chia in cups – Part 3 – Food 25
- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Colorful Car at Our City Park – Art 7
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Do You Know Cashew Milk? – Part 2 - Food 27

Owls Population at our Neighborhood – Nature 53

About 5 to 10 years ago, we normally heard owls sound in great numbers after midnight. It seems that owls population was “quite a lot” in that time.

Image 1- The owl observes small critters.

Based on Google ID, the image of owl (Image 1) is identified as a Barred Owl with scientific name is Strix varia.

Even though the owls population is decreasing in our neighborhood recently, the barred owl is very common raptor in our city, Baton Rouge as of reported by LSU media (2021: LSU Researchers Study Baton Rouge Barred Owls).

They may live or be found in the nearby forest, city parks, big trees and even on the electric poles around our city.

Image 2- Pine trees, just illustration

In the nature, the owls may eat snakes, rabbits and creatures which are living in water such as craw-fish.

We know at our neighborhood that the owls consume rats, squirrels, mice and even pets like smaller dogs and cats.

Image 3- Owls sitting on the electric pole

Do you see owls at your neighborhood? How abundance?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Canadian Geese Live Permanently in Neighborhood – Part 2- Science 23
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The SHIELD is a New Hope to Protect Our Brain – Part 3 - Alzheimer's 10
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Differences between American and Italian Mozzarella Cheeses – Food 28
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Differences between American and Italian Mozzarella Cheeses – Food 28
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Wild Bees are Visiting Our Backyard – Part 1 - Nature 43

Have you Tasted Broad Beans? - Food 39

I knew broad beans in the 4 forms that are baked, roasted, fried and dried. When I visit an ethnic grocery, I saw fresh broad beans, look like a long bean with green color.

Image 1- Dried broad beans

Americans call broad beans with other names, some of them are English bean, Faba bean, Windsor bean, Tick bean, field bean, Horse bean, Pigeon bean, Fava bean and Bell bean.

People eat broad beans with some reasons:

- source of nutrients
- weight loss
- improve immune system
- a lot of health benefits

Image 2- A single broad bean

# Important postings:

- How often Should we Consume Blueberries? - Part 2 – Food 35
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Brain Changes during Reproduction Process – Part 1 – Brain Plasticity 2
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Black Cobra Chili Plants – Food 31
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Sweet Tangerine at Backyard – Food 26

Image 3- Fried broad beans

As suggested by Rumwell (2021: Brilliant benefits of broad beans) that broad beans rich in vitamins and minerals.

Some important vitamins include vitamin C and B. Moreover, few examples of minerals in the broad bean are copper, zinc, iron and magnesium.

Fig 04- Fresh broad beans, sold in the grocery

Have you tasted broad beans? If so, do you like its?

# Previous postings:

- Rainbow Evening : Paintings Show in Mini Maker Faire– Art 5
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Canadian Geese Live Permanently in Neighborhood – Part 2- Science 23
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The SHIELD is a New Hope to Protect Our Brain – Part 3 - Alzheimer's 10
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Differences between American and Italian Mozzarella Cheeses – Food 28
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Differences between American and Italian Mozzarella Cheeses – Food 28

Social Status Affects on Physiology and Behaviors – Part 1 – Brain Plasticity 3

For human being, it is well known that social status will lead to success in mating, interestingly so does in animal’s world.

Image 1- Dominant male in animals (credit to pnas,org)

Higher social status or called as social dominant of animals be able to control their fertility or their reproduction.

On contrary, lower social status ones have no interest to control territory, thus less mature in respect to the sexual activity.

In fish, social status regulated reproduction of male cichlids, those who are in higher rank position will success in mating.

However, the status could be replaced either by forces (coup de tat or dethroned) or by peace (absent due to naturally died).

Image 2- Slices of pumpkin, illustration only

Physiologically, a part of brain that control neuron will ask to release reproductive hormone called Gonadotropin.

As you know Gonadotropin is a hormone or several hormones to invigorating sex glands in order to perform reproduction.

Image 3- Painted by Ruth Stuart, a local artist

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Simple Decorations for Halloween and Thanksgiving around Our Neighborhood
- Rainbow Evening: Do You Know Cashew Milk? - 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
- Rainbow Evening: Paintings Show in Mini Maker Faire – Art 5