Friday, 19 January 2024

A Lizard Called as a California Newt - Nature 118

We just found a kind of lizard or salamander or newt in our neighborhood. The first time we have seen this kind of critter. 


Image 00 - A lizard on the hand 

After observing a while, we can conclude that some characters of this newt are:
- brownish color with orange underparts. 
- slender body with four legs and a bit long tail.
- visible texture of moist and smooth skin appearance.

Based on identification by GoogleID and BingID, this critter could be a California newt species.

The California newt with scientific name Taricha torosa is known as endemic species to California.

Image 02 - Plants, just for illustration.

# Some postings:


Image 03 - A bird, illustration only.

Strangely, how this California newt, the endemic species to California could arrive in Louisiana?


Fig 04 - A wild plant with little fruit.

The possibility that one of our neighbors has this newt as a pet, then the critter escaped, end up in the yards.


Image 05 - The Christmas tree, illustration.

Just to let you know that California newts have toxin called tetrodoxin, a powerful poison like poison in pufferfish.


Fig 06 - The plants around neighborhood.

Have you seen the California newt in the nature?

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Monday, 15 January 2024

Winter Blooming of some Flowers in the Garden - Nature 117

Winter in our city barely reach below zero degree Celsius, hence some flowers blooming well in the "cold season."


Image 01 - A pansy flower in the garden.

We found some dominant flowers, two of them which are blooming in the garden during winter seasons are:
1) A pansy flower
- violet colors
- Scientific name for flower is identified as a Viola cornuta by GoogleID

2) The snapdragon variety
- colors could be yellow and many other
- GoogleID identifies scientific name for this flower is Antirrhinum majus.



Image 02 - The snapdragon variety


Image 03 - Yellow of the snapdragon.


Image 04 - Several flowers blooming


Image 05 - Blooming in the winter.


Image 06 - Blooming of the pansy.

Whay kind of flowers are blooming in the winter in your areas?

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Saturday, 6 January 2024

Chickens Enjoying Freedom Outside - Nature 116

 When we saw several chickens in one morning, we thought they are loose. But, another morning we saw them again.


Image 01 - Chickens play outside.

We think are not loose. They are taking a stroll and enjoying freedom. The owners may let them out early in the morning as that is when we usually see the chickens again and again.

They give us a little chuckle as they go about the morning duties. I've only seen them in the mornings though, so I think they are possibly let out at that time. They play around and find some natural foods.

Wild chickens may consume variety of foods, including insects, plants and fruits. They may consume ants, termites, flies, grasshoppers and worms.


Image 03 - Illustration only, California

We believe that it is good to allow chickens are roaming outside. It is good fot their health, since their immune system will be stronger.


Image 04 - Just one chicken left.

Chickens could stimulate their mood or well being, since they get fresh air and sunshine regularly.


Image 05 - A Monarch butterfly, illustration only'

Our neighborhood has Cayotes roaming, especially at night. We hope that Cayotes don't attack and kill the chickens.


Image 06 - Chickens, seen from car.

Have you seen some chicken roaming in your neighborhood?

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Friday, 29 December 2023

The Orchid Flowers in Singapore - Nature 115

 We have two previous posted about Singapore in respect to indoor garden and variety of succulent plants.


Image 01 - Purple orchid, Singapore

You may read two previous postings:

Singapore ever be top world exporter of orchids in the world, but now, has a lot of competitors, from around the globe, and even from Europe (Netherland) and America (USA). 


Image 02 - A white flowers, Singapore

Thailand is the competitor from neighbor country. It exports about US$ 67.6 million in 2021.


Image 03 - Mokara (identified by GoogleID)

# Important postings:


Image 04 - A rare variety of orchid, Dendrobium sp.

Netherland is a competitor from Europe, and even as top orchid exporter in the world in 2021.  


Image 05 - Dendrobium sonia, identified by GoogleID

Singapore has about 220 species of native orchid species, grow well in Singapore forest and natural reserves.


Image 06 - Other Dendrobium varieties.

We may find about 1,000 species and more than 2,000 of orchid hybrids in the Singapore orchid garden.


Image 07 - One of orchid hybrids, Singapore

Do you love orchid? 

What variety?

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Saturday, 23 December 2023

Is Brisk Walking better than Slow Walk? - Part 2 - Healthy Life 28

You may read the previous post (Part 1):

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Is Brisk Walking better than Slow Walk? - Part 1 - Healthy Life 28


Image 1- A Pepsi truck stop by in neighborhood

ScienceDaily (March 16, 2021) also reported surprising finding from UK scientists that:

- there is connection between fitness level and Covid 19 virus infection.
- walking fast will less likely to get severe case of Covid 19, and less chance to die.
- live longer, up to 20 years

So, how often should we walk fast and how long?
- every day, about 20 minutes





JJ
JJ

Saturday, 16 December 2023

The Alligator in the Lake - Nature 114

We spotted a small alligator in the one of our neighborhood lake few days ago when we just walking around the lake. 


Image 1 - A small alligator, swimming.

We have seen small children playing in the backyards around the lake. We don't know whether their parents aware or not of an alligator nearby. We live not that far from this lake.

You might surprise with the size of alligators in our areas:
- the largest size could reach 14 feet (14.3 meter) with weight 500 pound (227 kg).
- the smaller size is about 7 feet (2.1 meters) with weight 250 pound (113 kg).

When talked to neighbors who live around or closer to the lake, they said there are actually two other larger alligators.


Image 2 - A neighbor house

They have tried to catch alligator, but not success yet. Some suggested, may be time to get professional help.


Image 3 - Just illustration photo.

They would call wildlife and fisheries or homeowners association to remove the alligators as soon as possible.


Image 4 - A little alligator in the lake.

Have you seen the wild alligator in the nature?

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Saturday, 9 December 2023

The White Bunny Runs around the Corner - Nature 113

We spotted a white little bunny when we walk regularly. We believe the rabbit is a domestic rabbit. 


Image 1 - A bunny runs around the corner.

It is mean that the bunny is a pet, not a wild rabbit. Another possibility, the white coat bunny is kept or let it plays outdoor, since the bunny need space to exercise, play or explore.   

Bunnies need special attentions sometimes, include their food. Some foods of domestic bunnies are fresh vegetables.

Moreover, there are plenty popular breeding of domestic bunnies in our areas or city, Baton Rouge, LA. At least, there are about 12 most popular breeding which are sold in the markets.


Image 2 - One of corners in neighborhood

We are quite confident that the rabbit in our images (image 1 and 2) is belong to the "Netherland dwarf" breeding.


Image 3 - Another corner, illustration only

The Netherland Dwarf breeding is characterized by its gentle nature, playful personalities and small size.


Image 4 - The bunny just stops moving.

Do you know about kinds of bunny breeding (species)?

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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...