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

Gladiolus is one of Favorite Flowers in America – Nature 78

People love Gladiolus with different reasons. Some said due to symbols of power (strength) and proud.

Image 1- Yellow Gladiolus in the yard.

Others love its colors. Some of its colors are yellow, white, red, pink, purple, orange and combine colors.

I love its shape and colors. It is include one of ten favorite flowers in America. Other favorite flowers are Lavender, Sunflower, Rose, Peony, Hydrangea, Dahlia, Tulip, Sweet Pea and Gardenia. Gladiolus flower is an excellent gift for wedding.

The flower, Gladiolus spp has plenty species, about 300 species, spreading in Africa, Mediterranean regions and Europe.

Image 2- Gladiolus with white color

Image 3- Gladiolus with tall spike.

What flowers do you love?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Surprising Fact - Cooked Shrimps are Cheaper than Raw Ones – Part 2 - Food 8
- The Rainbow Before Evening : When should I get the Botox Cosmetic? - Part 2 – Healthy Life 16
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Outlawed - An Epic Western Novel – Part 1 - Reading 4
- The Rainbow Before Evening : What is Knockout Animals ? - Part 1- Science 8
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Outlawed - An Epic Western Novel – Part 2 - Reading 4

“Let's go” and “Let's play” - Part 2 - Alzheimer's 13

You may read previous posting (Part 1):

- The Rainbow Before Evening : “Let's go” and “Let's play” - Part 1 - Alzheimer's 13

Image 1- Pots of little plants, illustration

Another one loves to reach a smart phone to get daily quote from apps or just read new messages from someones.

We have favorite friends with Alzheimer's who have favorite words. They always say these words to answer our questions or just a sentence that they want to say or let’s know.

Let's call them Mrs Anderson and Mrs Brown, both of them with wheelchairs, eighties year old, both could not recognize a single person but they still know their name.

Image 2- Flower, blooming

Mrs Anderson still able to talk, the words clear, but has no meaning or no purposes at all.

Every time she said something to us or ask something to us, whatever the answers she will spontaneous move her wheelchair and said, “Let's go!”

Image 3- A room, illustration only

# To be continued to Part 3

## Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Why the Moon Has Thousands of Small Aliens? - Part 2 – Science 7
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Traditional Books versus Electronic Books for Children – Part 2 – Reading 3
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Surprising Fact - Cooked Shrimps are Cheaper than Raw Ones – Part 1 - Food 8
- The Rainbow Before Evening : When should I get the Botox Cosmetic? - Part 1 – Healthy Life 16
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Surprising Fact - Cooked Shrimps are Cheaper than Raw Ones – Part 2 - Food 8

Nesting of Mississippi Kites in the Areas – Nature 77

Some people might be wrong to distinguish the different between Bald Eagles and Mississippi Kites.

Image 1- Several Mississippi Kites

Actually, the simple difference that Bald eagles have large, hooked yellow beaks that are unmistakable.

Well, a group of Mississippi Kites must be nesting in the area. This is my second time seeing them within a few weeks.

Nowadays, we may observe Bald Eagle living nearby rivers, lakes, marshes to urban areas (The Rainbow Before Evening : Are Bald Eagles not Endangered Species Anymore? - Nature 50)

Image 2- Empty nest, illustration only

In respect to food source, as you might know the Bald Eagle consumes on small animals such as rabbits, snakes, waterfowl and fish.

In case of Mississippi Kites they mostly live on “Crop-damaging insects” such as cicadas and grasshoppers. However, they have been known to eat small mammals too.

Image 3- A single Mississippi Kite

Have you seen Mississippi Kites in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Traditional Books versus Electronic Books for Children – Part 1 – Reading 3
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Why the Moon Has Thousands of Small Aliens? - Part 2 – Science 7
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Traditional Books versus Electronic Books for Children – Part 2 – Reading 3
- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Surprising Fact - Cooked Shrimps are Cheaper than Raw Ones – Part 1 - Food 8
- The Rainbow Before Evening : When should I get the Botox Cosmetic? - Part 1 – Healthy Life 16