The Blooming of Chinese Lantern Plants – Nature 64

We never seen before, the Chinese lantern like flower. We just see this unique and pretty flower in our neighborhood recently.

Image 1- Flower of Chinese Lantern

In addition to Chinese Lantern, other common names are Flowering maple, Velvet leaf, Indian mallow, Room maple and Parlor maple.

Based on the Google ID result, the species refers to scientific name of Abutilon pictum which mature could reach 10 to 15 inches (25 to 38 cm) tall.

Many believed this plant is native to South American countries such as Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil.

However, genus of Abutilon contains around 200 species which are spreading to regions of Asia, Australia and Africa.

Image 2- A painting from a high school student, illustration

We have observed that the ornamental flowers of Chinese Lantern could attract many kinds of pollinators, include hummingbirds and butterfly during blooming in Spring and Fall seasons.

Image 3- The flower looks pretty

Have you this kind of flower in the garden?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Have you Tasted Broad Beans? - Food 39
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Owls Population at our Neighborhood – Nature 53
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Ghosts of Paris by Tara Moss – Part 1 – Reading 12
- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Duck Lays Eggs in the Pot – Nature 54
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Traditional books versus electronic books for children – Part 1 - Reading 13

“Let's go” and “Let's play” - Part 1 - Alzheimer's 13

We had a short conversation after finished a route walk in Walk to End Alzheimer's. This is a kind of routine exercise, almost every day.

Image 1- A Rosary, morning prayers, illustration

The most interesting in the conversation is the favorite words in the loved one with Alzheimer's disease.

In the stage of Alzheimer's with the sign lose words, some favorite words will remain in memory cells.

I have my favorite words, or a phrase. Sure, It does not a bad word, or curse :)

Some of us in the that group of conversation said that they have some words to spell too when they just get up in the morning to give them the strength, to make the day brighter and happier. 

Image 2- A big yellow flower, illustration

Some of us, get up and reach rosary to say some words. We, sometimes just stare at the 3 crucial words “LOVE, HOPE, FAITH” in beautiful frame sit on the nightstand.

Image 3- The painting, a primary school student

# To be continued to Part 2

## Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Joker, PBA, and Alzheimer's Disease – Part 2 - Alzheimer's 12
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Bonsai Show in Our City – Part 1 - Nature 51
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Blooming of Amaryllis at Neighborhood – Nature 52
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Social Status Affects on Physiology and Behaviors – Part 1 – Brain Plasticity 3
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Have you Tasted Broad Beans? - Food 39

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 19^th century, a long time ago.

Image 3- Lovely colorful flower’s petals

Have you seen this colorful Iris in nature?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Brain Changes during Reproduction Process – Part 3 – Brain Plasticity 2
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The United States Produces and Exports Dates Fruit – Food 37
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Flowers as Objects of Paintings – Part 2 - Art 11
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Crazy Chicken Pollo Loco at Neighborhood – Food 38
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Joker, PBA, and Alzheimer's Disease – Part 2 - Alzheimer's 12

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:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Duck Lays Eggs in the Pot – Nature 54
- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Mother Duck with Her 8 Eggs – Nature 56

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:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Is Mockingbird a Smart Bird? - Science 32
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Could Parasite Control Human Mind? - Science 33
- The Rainbow Before Evening : How often Should we Consume Blueberries? - Part 2 – Food 35
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Are Bald Eagles not Endangered Species Anymore? - Nature 50
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Brain Changes during Reproduction Process – Part 3 – Brain Plasticity 2

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:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Pulmonary Hypertension Type – Part 2 - Cardiovascular 4
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Is Mockingbird a Smart Bird? - Science 32
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Could Parasite Control Human Mind? - Science 33
- The Rainbow Before Evening : How often Should we Consume Blueberries? - Part 2 – Food 35
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Are Bald Eagles not Endangered Species Anymore? - Nature 50

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:

- Wild Animals and Birds in my Backyard – Nature 8a
- Crowned Heron Crawfishing Near Our Neighborhood – Part 1 – Nature 20
- Rose breasted grosbeak Comes to Our Neighborhood – Nature 23
- Wild Bees are Visiting Our Backyard – Part 1 - Nature 43
- A Duck Lays Eggs in the Pot – Nature 54

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:

- Rainbow Evening : Winter Storms during Cold Season – Nature 48
- White Hominy Pearls Tossed with Coconut Shreds – Part 3 – Food 32
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Impacts of Winter Storms – Nature 49
- Sugarcane Sticks Sold in the Mexican Grocery – Food 36
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Pulmonary Hypertension Type – Part 2 - Cardiovascular 4

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:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Joker, PBA, and Alzheimer's Disease – Part 1 - Alzheimer's 12
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Mockingbirds are Permanent Residents of Our State – Nature 47
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Learning Process Based on My Own Experienced – Part 3– Science 28
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The First Exhibition of a Local Artist – Art 12
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Winter Storms during Cold Season – Nature 48