Tag Archives: bumblebees
Pollinator Week 2019
In the past three or four years, I began to notice that honey bees aren’t the only bees in the world. What a surprise! There are over 20,000 other versions. Some as big as elephants, some as small as pin … Continue reading
Bees learn to drive tiny cars
I wouldn’t believe this if I had seen it with my own eyes! Sam Droege, bee scientist extraordinaire, has a USGS Flickr website populated with great bee photographs. Last week, somewhere around April first, Sam posted the results of some … Continue reading
David Attenborough and the tired bumblebee
Back in July, I posted about some cute stories which were filling social media. Vignettes described people rescuing tired, hungry-looking (how can you tell?) bumblebees by giving them a spoonful of sugar water. I have reposted that July blog piece … Continue reading
Bees on Ice
So much has happened in the weeks since my last post: I started an MSc (in bee ecology); my son and I pulled our honey crop; I presented a talk at the first-ever United Beekeepers of Alberta conference; I began … Continue reading
Prolonging the sweet taste
Most nectar-supping insects land on a flower, take a bit of nectar, then fly off. But bees are different. They hang around the flower, sometimes gorging for ten seconds or more, if there’s enough nectar. Why the difference? Scientists think … Continue reading
Bees (of a sort) on Postage Stamps!
Canada has something called ‘permanent’ stamps. We call them “P” stamps. The first ones, issued ten years ago, had a small letter P on them, next the the Queen of England’s face. P stamps have become B stamps, at least … Continue reading
March on Down?
This weekend, we celebrate Earth Day. And why not? There are official days for glazed spiral ham (April 15), chocolate covered cashews (April 21!), and bee sting enthusiasts (March 30). So, Earth should have a day of celebration. As a … Continue reading
First Exit of Bumblebees (A Video)
Do you have a minute? You might enjoy this video, First exit of bumblebees, filmed (and scored) by Mukibrain. When he sent me his link, the producer wrote, “I would like to share with you the latest video by Mukibrain, … Continue reading
Bumble Bees and Free Will
Much is made of a human’s ability to make free choices. It’s an illusion, of course, but if people should be awarded this mysterious power, then why not bees? To bolster this notion of bees and free will, we’ll look … Continue reading
Bumblebee Honey For Sale?
My brother was at a farmer’s market in North Carolina this weekend. A vendor was selling a thimble-full of honey for $10. Maybe slightly more than a thimble. The seller told my brother that you wouldn’t smother a pancake with … Continue reading