Category Archives: Strange, Odd Stuff
Black ‘Pollen’ in March
A friend sent this great picture of a honey bee trucking home some very dark pollen today. Since flowers are not yet blooming here in Calgary, I’m pretty sure that the ‘pollen’ is coffee. Bees have been known to gather … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping, Strange, Odd Stuff
Tagged Calgary, coffee, pollen, pollen substitutes
14 Comments
Maple Syrup is Dark
It’s February. Maple syrup time in Quebec. The saps are flowing! I live in western Canada (no maple syrup trees here on the windy prairies) so I don’t think a lot about the sugar tapping going on at the moment … Continue reading
Bees That Watch Bees
Picture this. A bee with her tiny face pressed against a window, spying on other bees so she can see where the treasure is hidden. Sounds ridiculous to me, but it turns out to be true. The experiment In 2013, … Continue reading
Posted in Bee Biology, Science, Strange, Odd Stuff
Tagged almond pollination, bee brains, bee foraging
2 Comments
Non-science Brains as Scientists
It seems that youngsters who are not particularly gifted in science and math are more likely to want a science job later in life. Kids who excel in science are less likely to want to be scientists. At least, that’s … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Outreach, Strange, Odd Stuff
Tagged education, PISA, Science
3 Comments
A Century of Honey Songs
It’s Sunday morning, just a week before Christmas. I’m hoping that your bee work is done and you have some time to listen to a few tunes from honey-throated singers and sticky-fingered musicians. Our first gift to you is Flight … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Movies, Strange, Odd Stuff
Tagged music, tupelo honey, Ulee's Gold, Winnie the Pooh
4 Comments
Some Ambrosia
Ambrosia. n. nectar; food or drink of the Greek gods which confers longevity Break out the mead – it’s St. Ambrose Day! Ambrose is the patron saint of beekeepers, a task he’s had since the day in 340 when he … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, History, Strange, Odd Stuff
Tagged candles, honey in religion, Saint Ambrose
3 Comments
Lawsuits Amidst Toxic Allegations
Australia is having a food fight. Well, a honey fight, actually, and there are lessons aplenty to be found in it. First off, a Save the Bees gentleman, Simon Mulvany, of Melbourne, launched a name-calling campaign against Australian honey packer … Continue reading
Posted in Commercial Beekeeping, Honey, Save the Bees, Strange, Odd Stuff
Tagged Australia, Capilano, lawsuits, toxic honey
9 Comments
Ending the Senseless Roadside Carnage (of bugs)
Bugs impact windshields from time to time. You’ve scraped off the gooey result. A lovely dégustation if there’s ever been one. Placing a bee yard near a busy road makes you an accessory to the beeslaughter of millions. You are … Continue reading
Posted in Bee Yards, Ecology, Humour, Science, Strange, Odd Stuff
Tagged Ontario, roadkill, Vietnam
4 Comments
Why Vegans are Wrong
I have a vegan acquaintance. He is a mild, considerate, and generally pleasant young man. He thinks that beekeeping is cruel and inhumane. He tells me that honey-eating encourages theft and the abuse, imprisonment and exploitation of insects. “Tell me … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Ecology, History, Honey, Strange, Odd Stuff
Tagged Donald Watson, health, honey and environment, sugar, vegans
104 Comments
Bad Beekeeping Blog 