Thursday, 11 July 2024

The Black Soldier Flies (Hermetia illucens) - Nature 136

The fly is found inside the house. Based on GoogleID, it is suggested the fly is a Black soldier with scientific name Hermetia illucens.


Image 01 - The Black soldier fly.

The flies live well in the humid climate regions such as our state, Louisiana. They are excellent decomposers.

Their larvae are voracious to many kinds of materials (organic matters) such as:
food (kitchen) scraps
- manure
- rotting flesh of dead animals.

Hence, the larvae voracity potentially to break down waste, and then convert it into valuable nutrients.  


Image 02 - The fly is crawling

Louisiana State University (LSU) has studied the potential use of black soldier flies in production of animal feed, waste management and production of biofuel.


Image 03 - Head of the Black soldier fly.

Do you recognize this kind of fly?

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Friday, 31 May 2024

Blooming of Gloriosa Lilly - Nature 135

Temperature is getting higher, more than 85* F (30* C) in our areas, hence it is good time for tropical origin flowers to bloom.


Image - Blooming of Gloriosa Lilly

Gloriosa Lily, one of the flowers which is native to tropical areas such as Asia and southern Africa, blooming in our state, Louisiana nowadays. 

This lily has multiple common names. some of them are:
- cat's claw 
- tiger's claw
- flame lily
- fire lily
- creeping lily
- glory lily
- climbing lily

This ornamental plant is well loved for its vibrant flowers that comes with many colors include yellow, red, orange and pink.

Have you seen this flower in your area?

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Saturday, 18 May 2024

The Injured Turtle in the Flower Bed - Nature 134

We found the injured turtle in our flower bed few days ago. Poor turtle. That one may be too badly injured but it shouldn't suffer.


Image 01 - The injured turtle 

Obviously, the turtle can still crawl, and the turtle still pokes his out of his shell, so still alive.

It is a small turtle. You might wonder why the critter in flower's bed, it is because the critter eats:
- flowers
- vegetables
- and fruit.

First, we contacted Fish and Wildlife department, but no respond.


Image 02 - The red rose, blooming

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Image 03 - Day Lily in the early Summer

Then we called LSU small animal hospital and an exotic pet vet, unfortunately we have not heard back from them.

Finally, an animal rescue and rehab gave some recommendations:
1) 90% of the time the best thing to do is let an animal heal on its own.
2) Protect from ants and house-flies.
3) Provide water and food and shade.


Image 04 - The flowerbed, late Spring


What do you think?

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Sunday, 12 May 2024

Happy mother day

Today, May 12, 2024, we are celebrating Mother Day in the USA. The celebration for mothers and motherhood. 


Image 01 - Happy mother day

Just in case you are not aware, forget or don't know that mother day was initiated by Anna Jarvis (an activist) in 1908.

Then, Anna Jarvis worked and campaigned tirelessly to establish Mother Day as a national holiday.

After 6 years, her efforts bore fruit in 1914 when it officially gained recognition in the United States.

Mother’s Day serves as an opportunity to express gratitude and honor both mothers and maternal figures.


Image 02 - Colorful of flowers.

People often give something to their mothers, few examples are:
- flowers (especially carnations), 
gifts
- cards, 
- candy
- or prepare meals for their loves.


Image 03 - Flowers for mother day.

Happy Mom's Day to the moms and single dads out there!

Saturday, 4 May 2024

Peggy Martin Roses - Nature 133

Born from resilience, the 'Peggy Martin' rose, also nicknamed the "Katrina rose," boasts an inspiring story, survived the devastating Hurricane Katrina decades ago.


Image 01 - Pink roses, Peggy Martin

The Peggy Martin Rose exemplifies the characteristics of a climbing rose. It is a robust grower, capable of reaching heights of 15 feet or more. 

Its vigorous growth and stunning blooms make it a popular choice for trellises, fences, and garden walls.

Some other reasons the people love Peggy Martin roses are:
- pink color with blooming in the Spring and Fall
- heat tolerant and cold-hardy
- diseases resistant.


Image 02 - Peggy Martin roses, pink color

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Image 03 - Climbing on the fences

Finally, known for their easy care, Peggy Martin roses flourish with a boost from compost and organic rose food.


Image 04 - Roses on the grown. 

Do you know about Peggy Martin roses?

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Sunday, 28 April 2024

Capgras Delusion and Alzheimer’s Disease - Part 1 - Alzheimer’s 15

 She was about eighties. A wife of a veteran. Indeed, we just commemorated Veteran Day. The deep thought for all of our veterans, hoping they have meaningful day.


Image 01 - Illustration of Capgras delusion (Copy from Google)

About the lady, I have never ever forgotten how depressing she was.

She sat in her chair next to her husband when we had a casual conversation. She
slowly got up from her chair. She walked down the hall into her bedroom. Perhaps
she would like to use bathroom or just fix her hair.

She did not come back yet and we were about to leave. So, we looked into her room and she seemed made the bed. 

She tried to fix her tidy bed stared at the bed and she said, “This bed, look at this bed, we had a lot memories here.”


Image 02 - A house in the village.

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Image 03 - A tent, just illustration

She sobbed, “We shared our life here, but I have never known where he is now.”
She sobbed, her shoulder up and down, her face looked very desperate. Then she
walked to the door, stared outside through the glass window, “I don't know how he is now.”

Her daughter took her back to her chair next to her husband. She still sobbed.


Image 04 - A painting by kid, illustration

## To be continued to part 2

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Sunday, 21 April 2024

The Squirrel with two-toned fur - Nature 132

We have two previous postings about squirrels: a little squirrel in her nest and four weeks old baby squirrel. 


Image 01 - A squirrel with two tones.

You may read the two previous postings:

Based on internet sources, the squirrels with two toned furs are in good health, and there's no cause for alarm.

If you come across squirrels sporting two-toned furs in any places (parks or gardens), these bicolored squirrels can enjoy just as lengthy and robust lives as their monochromatic counterparts.


Image 02 - A two-toned fur, just playing. 

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Image 03 - A brown squirrel.

At least there are 3 possibilities of squirrels with two-tones:
1) Mismarking
It’s not uncommon to see squirrels with a patch of fur that differs in color from the rest of their coat. Mismarking can result from various factors, such as genetics, injury, or illness.

2) Parasites
Occasionally, mites or fungal infections can lead to patchy fur loss in squirrels, resulting in a dual-colored appearance.

3) Piebald
Piebald squirrels exhibit a rare genetic trait resulting in patches of pigmentation loss. These squirrels can display various color combinations, although gray and black fur is the most frequent occurrence.


Image 04 - A squirrel, playing on the grass.

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The Passion Flower in the Yard - Nature 144

The Passion flowers thrive in sunny areas. If we are lucky, we may find this flower along open areas (woodlands), roadsides and in fields.  ...