Friday, 14 April 2023

Colorful of Dutch Iris in the Yards – Nature 63

Our state of Louisiana has 5 species Iris as native flowers. These species could be seen in many places across the state.



Image 1- Colorful of a Dutch Iris flower

Plenty of Iris flowers both native and “imported” to our state may be found around ditches, along edges of ponds or river, and moist or fertile places during Spring seasons.

The well known 5 species of Iris in our areas are:

- Iris giganticaerulea.
- Iris hexagona.
- Iris nelsonii.
- Iris brevicaulis and Iris fulva.



Image 2- Rain drops on the flower’s surfaces

Dutch Iris with scientific name, Iris Hollandica is a hybrid species by combining European Species (Iris xiphium) and North African species (Iris tingitana).

Iris xiphium is native to Spain and Portugal, while Iris tingitana is native to Morocco and Algeria.

The Dutch firm called as “Van Tubergen” had distributed the crossed breeding Iris flowers to North America around 19th century, a long time ago.



Image 3- Lovely colorful flower’s petals

Have you seen this colorful Iris in nature?

# Previous postings:

Wednesday, 12 April 2023

A Beautiful Female Muscovy Sitting on the Eggs – Nature 62

We have two posting about eggs and a mother duck. At the first posting, we didn’t know the species of duck.



Image 1- A beautiful female Muscovy.

Then, we understand that the owner of eggs is Muscovy instead of Mallard ducks. You may read the previous two postings:

As you might know, a female Muscovy duck will lay one egg almost every day until reach the clutch point.

The mother duck sitting on the eggs to incubate them for about 30 to 35 days instead of 28 days.



Image 2- Eggs during incubation

The sitting on the eggs for “most of the day.” The mother duck very brief to leave the eggs sometimes. The purposes are for getting food, water and just relief.



Image 3- Eggs ready to be incubated, previous photo

Let’s wait duck eggs hatching!

# Previous postings:

Monday, 10 April 2023

Useful of Weeds and Wild Flowers in the yards – Part 1 - Science 36

We are in the second week of April. The weather is getting warmer up, may reach up to 86 F (30 C) in our city, Baton Rouge, LA.



Image 1- Beautiful wild white flowers, eagerly to keep their existence.

It's a good time to work my yard that I left about over a month. Shrubs are growing in some spots and they are surrounding the house.

Normally, in early Spring whenever many kinds of plants spur up with lovely manner show their buds, we just let them growing and flowering.

My reasons are not only to enjoy the amazing views but also to keep small wild flower as the first flower to invite the bold bees and insects to do pollination to my fruit trees.



Image 2- Wild flower, Waiting for “helper” for sustainable.

So, I don't need to catch them or borrow from somewhere. Then, in the Summer, I (my planning) to avoid all weeds and wild flowers by clearing them all. 



Image 3- Grass and weed

Then, what happen?

# Previous postings:

Saturday, 8 April 2023

The Cardinals in the Backyard – Nature 61

We have posted about birds and animals which visit our yards and neighborhoods either regular and seasonal.



Image 1- The Cardinal at the yard

Some of previous postings are:

The cardinal among the birds visit our yard at any seasons or throughout the year, since the bird is a non migration bird as far as I know.



Image 2- Just for illustration

I believe the cardinals visit our yard because of foods. We have blackberries grow very well and climbing our fences.

In addition, there are plenty wild berries during Spring and Summer seasons in our yards.



Image 3- Another Cardinal bird eats seeds

Sure, our bird feeders attract them to visit our place. We enjoy to see birds fly around.

# Previous postings:

Thursday, 6 April 2023

The Multiple Colors of Tulip in Neighborhood – Nature 60

There are 3,000 registered types of Tulip in the world as of recent days (Gardenia, 2023: Tulip Types).



Image 1- The purple Tulip opens its petals.

We have at least four varieties of Tulip, here in our city, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They are:

1) Queen of night Tulip

Darkest Tulip with deep purple colors, and could be appear as pure black when blooming.


2) Hocus Pocus Tulip.

This type of Tulip has bright yellow color. The Tulip is growing well in our state, because we have warmer temperature.



Image 2- Tulip flowers with yellow color


3. Maureen Tulip

The flowers color is growing from pale yellow to marble or ivory white when flowers reach maturity.



Image 3- Bright red flowers, tend to pink.


4. Menton Tulip

Flowers of this type have a yellow base color. We may find interior parts of petals with orange and white stripes. Strangely, when blooming, flowers may change to the rosy pink color.



Image 4- Tulip opens its petals widely

What types of Tulips have you seen in your areas or cities?

# Previous postings:

Wednesday, 5 April 2023

Easter Candies and Celebrations

Some people have their own ways to express “real meaning” of Easter. They tribute their possessions to the “real meaning” of resurrection Sunday.



Image 1- Decoration in the yard of neighborhood

Other people say that the real meaning of Easter is not only about resurrection Sunday, but also about death and burial of Jesus Christ.

However, Easter is celebrated in many ways around the globe, especially in the Christian dominated countries.

Some of celebration, just few examples are by watching solemn processions, attending ceremonies, lighting candles, dancing with live music and then eating very special local or international foods.



Image 2- Easter “fake” eggs

In fun ways, Easter is celebrating by searching “real or fake” eggs and decorating baskets for many kinds of goodies.



Image 3- Easter Wreaths

As part of 2023 Easter celebration, I myself got Easter candies from my job place (office).



Image 4- Two small bags of Easter candies

Happy Easter for Who celebrates it.

# Previous postings:

Monday, 3 April 2023

The Indian Ringneck Parrot Is One of Popular Pets - Nature 59

As you might know that parrots are mainly imported from many tropical countries into the USA.



Image 1- The yellow Indian Ringneck Parrot, pet.

One of parrots called as Monk parrot or Green parakeet has been posted in this blog. You may read at below:

Many parrots have been escaped, and then adopted to wild nature. As reported by Leila Nargi (2019: Non-Native Parrots Have Naturalized Across the United States), there are plenty of non native parrots across America.

The fact that 56 species of “naturalized” parrots have been observed in many places of America from 2002 to 2016.



Image 2- Plant, just illustration

Moreover, many certified breeders reproduce parrots, hence, some parrots species are abundance in several states.

As far as I know It is legal to have parrots as pets, include Indian Ringneck Parrot (Psittacula krameri).



Image 3- Two parrots as pets

The cost may vary from one breeder to other breeders and depend on other factors such as maturity and colors. Average is US$ 800.

# Previous postings:

The Beautiful Bright Green Luna Moth - Nature 148

We saw a beautiful bright green critter it is called the bright green Luna moth. The grub making its way through our yard. Image 01 - A Luna...