Saturday, 18 November 2023

The Varieties of Succulents in the Singapore - Nature 108

 We have talked about an indoor garden in the Singapore at previous post:
The Rainbow Before Evening : Captivating Indoor Garden in Singapore - Nature 107


Image 1- Round shape succulents.

It was estimated that there are about at least 1,000 species of succulents in the small country, Singapore.

In respect to family, the five well known succulent families in Singapore are:
1) Apocynaceae, an example of species is Adenium
2) Asclepiadaceae, characterized by foul smelling succulents.
3) Aizoaceae, two examples of the species are Haworthia and Lithops
4) Cactaceae, the cacti are seen commonly in Singapore's park or garden.
5) Crassulaceae, the members are popular as houseplants such as Sedum.


Image 2- Some forms of succulents.


Image 3 - The Agave variety of succulent.


Image 4 - A group of Bromeliads.


Image 5 - One corners of an indoor garden.


Image 6 - An outdoor garden, Singapore

How many varieties of succulents have you seen?

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Wednesday, 15 November 2023

Captivating Indoor Garden in Singapore - Nature 107

 As a small country, Singapore has tried to design gardens and parks, outdoors and indoors. The purpose of these gardens and parks is to attract tourists from around the globe.


Image 1 - The artificial waterfall in the park 

One of gardens is a Jewel Changi airport, its size about 14,000 square meters (0.005 square miles), quite "big" to Singapore, but too small compared to be called as "a garden" in the USA. 

There is "artificial" waterfall, and it is said to be the tallest indoor waterfall in the world with 40 meters or 131 feet tall, surrounded by little forest. It is quite impressive for many visitors.

The garden has about 2,000 tress and 100,000 shrubs. In terms of species, there about 120 comes from countries such as China, Australia and America.


Image 2- Trees in the corner of garden


Image 3 - Several palm trees


Image 4 - Green every side of garden


Image 5 - We may see trees from another story


Image 6 - Trees with waterfall as background.


Image 7 - Visitors in the garden waterfall


Image 8 - Green in the indoor garden


Image 9 - Trees on the highest story

What do you think about indoor garden?

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Saturday, 11 November 2023

What is the Species of Frog? - Nature 106

Never have seen this frog before. We believe that this Amphibian spends most of its time just under the ground.


Image 1- A strange frog, we never seen before

I hadn't seen one until a few years ago. You'll run across them digging around water. Or at least that's when I've found them. Rare though.

Based on GoogleID, there are 3 possibilities of this frog species:

1) An eastern narrow mouth toad
- native to the eastern parts of America
- yes, they are living underground, most of their time.

2) Fowler toad.
- This species is native to Mexico and the southwestern America.


Image 2- A toad emerges to the surface

3) The Banded Bullfrog
- could reach 8 inches long, the largest frog in the North America. frog is important in the ecosystem to control insect population.


Image 3- A toad in the nature

Have you seen this kind of frog in the nature?

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Thursday, 9 November 2023

The Chrysanthemum and other flowers – Nature 105

We just talk flowers that blooming in the Fall at previous post:
- The Rainbow Before Evening : Blooming of Flowers in the Autumn - Nature 103



Image 01- Arrangement of Chrysanthemum flowers

The Chrysanthemum is one of beautiful flowers in our city, Baton Rouge. It has been popular choice for its long blooming seasons, colors and shapes. However, In term of bloom, people know it blooms in Autumn.

Other reasons that people choose the Chrysanthemum are good for indoor or outdoor, and low maintenance plant.

The flower comes from Asia, but it has been adaptable to hot and humid climate of our state, Louisiana, and we may find the flowers have been cultivated in many different areas of America.


Image 2- Some flowers on the bench, blooming in the Autumn


Image 3- Flowers at the corner, Fall season.


Image 4- Autumn season flowers, colorful

What flowers which blooming in the Autumn in your areas?

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Saturday, 4 November 2023

Releasing an Armadillo Back into the Wild - Nature 104

We have been seen a burrow hole in our yard. One of our neighbors tell us that she saw an armadillo.


Image 1 - An armadillo in the trap

Another day, the neighbor has observed Armadillos went under the fence, then cross our driveway, then cross the street to her yards.

How to discourage Armadillos to come and to dig holes in our yards?

Some neighbors suggested to use Armadillo Scram, a repellent to deter Armadillos to burrow or damage yards, gardens, lawn or landscapes.

Other neighbors also recommended to use cayenne pepper either sprinkled or mixed with water, and then to be sprayed on our yards or flowerbeds or bed covers (pine straw / bark).


Image 2- Illustration only.

Unfortunately, both Armadillo Scram and Cayenne pepper just work for about 30 days, the Armadillos come back to our yards.


Fig 03- A burrow hole, dug by Armadillo.

The wildlife office suggested to put a trap. Yes, we got one, then based on the recommends from wildlife department, we released the Armadillo back into the wild, quite far from our neighborhood.



Fig 04- The Armadillo, quite big

Have you seen this animal in the nature?

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JJ

Thursday, 2 November 2023

The Mexican Hat Flowers in the City Garden – Part 2 – Nature 72



Image 1- Brown stalk of Mexican hat flower

Mexican hat flowers can be found in almost all states of America and even to several states (Provinces) of Canada

The blooming is around mid summer until fall seasons, about two months. The plant produced flowers with colors of:

- dark red yellow
- brown
- orange
- yellow and other colors combines



Image 2- Plenty of Mexican hat flowers

Since its rich of nectar and attractive colors, people grow this flower in the garden to attract pollinators.



Image 03- Blooming of Mexican hat flowers

Well known pollinators visit the Mexican hat flowers are:
- butterfly
- bee



Image 4- Several Mexican hat flowers in the garden.


Saturday, 28 October 2023

Blooming of Flowers in the Autumn - Nature 103

 As you know, many flowers blooming in the autumn as well as in the spring. There are about 100 species of flower blooming in our state.


Image 1- A Bee on the "wild" lily flowers  

Few favorites autumn flowers in our state are Asters (Symphyotrichum sp.), Mexican bush sunflower (Encelia farinosa), Golden rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata), Ironweed (Vernonia altissima), American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), Sedums (Sedum sp.), Marigolds (Tagetes sp.) and Zinnias (Zinnia sp.).

In our neighborhood, we may find some flowers which blooming in the Fall seasons such as: Lily, Daisy, Lantana, Plumbago and Canna.

Actually, we may observe these flowers in the wild habitats include in the forest, swamps and meadows. 


Image 2- Daisy flowers, fall season.

These flowers known for their roles to provide nectar (food sources) for many pollinators: bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.


Image 3- Lantana (white) flowers


Image 4- Plumbago flowers, fall season.


Image 5 - Canna flowers, blooming in the fall


Image 6- A butterfly visit Lantana flowers

What species of flowers blooming in your areas during fall season?

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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...