Tag Archives: honey

10

The Bees’ Knees: No Mow May

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Bumble Bee Buzz Pollination for Your Plants – Mother Earth News

The honeybees were all swarming the hive at the beginning of the day. They were waiting for announcements before they started their day of collecting pollen and nectar. It had become the daily routine ever since they had unionized the year before. Most of the bees were happy with the new routine, although a few still had to be rounded up each morning.

Science Pub from Home: Buzzing about Santa Barbara's Bee Diversity | Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Ralph: Okay. Everybody ready?

Jake: We’re still waiting for Ethan and Bradley.

Someone groaned: They are always late.

Another voice: And always seems to knock off work early.

Ralph: Let’s get started. First, let’s have a cheer for Suzy. She’s been promoted to crew chief for the afternoon shift.

A great buzz went up for Suzy.

Less brilliant flowers still keep bees coming back

Ralph: Second, the queen has increased our quotas slightly.

General commotion.

Ralph: It’s nothing major.

Al: I thought our quotas were set in the contract.

Ralph: They are. But they’re tied to the amount of honey we’re actually producing. It seems like we aren’t bringing back enough to completely meet the needs of the hive. So everyone is expected to make one more trip back daily.

The beautiful flowers that bees can't use - BBC Future

Marie: Maybe it’s those guys that don’t seem to be working as hard as the rest of us. They’re probably not meeting their quota.

Ralph: I’ll check, but I think everyone is doing their share.

Marie: Then how do they get done so quickly? One more trip daily means less time with our families. It’s not fair if some aren’t pulling their weight.

Ralph: Let me look into it.

The bees set about their work. Ralph still hadn’t seen Ethan and Bradley, so he hung around the hive a little longer. It was hard sometimes being the union rep. He didn’t like needing to check up on his fellow bees. Finally, they flew into sight.

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Ralph: Morning, guys. A little late aren’t you?

Ethan: I guess so. I didn’t think it mattered. As long as we get our work done.

Ralph: It doesn’t really. Except the other bees have been noticing that you two don’t seem to be working as hard as everyone else.

Bradley: What do you mean? We make the required number of trips to the hive. The contract says that’s all the job requires.

Ethan: Yeah. We’re just more efficient than the rest of you.

Ralph: How can you be more efficient? We all work the same way.

Ethan: We just know the best places to hunt for pollen.

A Front Yard in a Subdivision | Steve Snedeker's Landscaping and Gardening Blog

Ralph: What best places? We live in a subdivision. There’s only so many places to go.

Bradley: It’s our secret. But we have a system. And it’s totally legal.

Ralph: Show me.

Ethan: If we show you, everyone’s going to want to go there. It’ll be ruined.

Ralph: Just wait for me to make my report to the queen, and I’ll follow you.

Ethan and Bradley buzzed around for a few minutes, but by the time Ralph came back they were gone. He grumbled and started his gathering. He noticed that by the time he had finished his quota, they were already off playing in the field. He was a little frustrated.

How do Bees Fly? (A Simple Guide) - Carolina Honeybees

The bees were not very happy with the new quota. The extra trip daily seemed to be more difficult that Ralph had imagined. Maybe there weren’t as many flowers as he thought. He decided that he needed to follow Ethan and Bradley. One morning he told the hive that there wouldn’t be any announcements the next day, they needed to just get straight to work. Ralph waited behind the hive to watch for Ethan and Bradly. Sure enough, they started out about a half hour after everyone else.

Join Plantlife's 'No Mow May' Initiative |

He followed them out of the subdivision. Where were they going? They headed straight for a yard behind the subdivision. It was full of wildflowers and tall grasses. LOTS of wildflowers. Very quickly, they collected their pollen and headed back for the hive. He watched them for a while. There were so many more plants here that they easily made their quota in less time than the other bees in the subdivision, even with the slightly longer distance.

On their final trip in, they spotted Ralph.

Maidstone takes part again in 'No Mow May' - MBC News Website

Ethan: Hey! You’re spying on us.

Ralph: I had to find out where you were going. You guys are the only ones who haven’t been complaining about the workload.

Ethan: That’s because we know where to find the most pollen.

Ralph: You’re not working as much as the other bees.

Bradley: We go a little further, but it doesn’t take as long to gather because there are so many flowers. The contract says that we have to make a certain number of trips, not that we have to spend all day doing it.

Ralph: That’s true. You’re not in trouble. I just wanted to see what you were doing. What is this place?

Ethan: It’s just a regular house. It has humans like the ones in the subdivision.

No Mow May' encourages homeowners to help bees by letting their lawns grow

Ralph: Why are there so many flowers?

Ethan: Some of them are what the humans call “weeds”. The humans in the subdivision aren’t allowed to have them.

Bradley: But these humans are doing what’s called “No Mow” May. They just let everything grow to help the native bees thrive. So we’re taking advantage of it. It’s great!

Ralph: Are they the only ones?

Ethan: There’s a few yards around here.

Ralph: I think we should let the others know. It looks like there’s enough to share.

;’/: You’re probably right. There’s really no reason we should be the only ones who benefit.

The next morning, Bradley and Ethan shared their find with the hive. Soon, everyone was thriving.

5 Tips For A Dazzling No Mow May

From Bee City USA: Lawns cover 40 million acres, or 2%, of land in the US, making them the single largest irrigated crop we grow. Lawns provide little benefit to wildlife, and are often harmful. Grass-only lawns lack floral resources and nesting sites for bees and are often treated with pesticides that harm bees and other invertebrates.

The start of the growing season is a critical time for hungry, newly emerged native bees. Floral resources may be hard to find, especially in urban and suburban landscapes. By allowing it to grow longer, and letting flowers bloom, your lawn can provide nectar and pollen to help your bee neighbors thrive.

Mowing less creates habitat and can increase the abundance and diversity of wildlife including bees and other pollinators. One way to reduce mowing is by participating in No Mow April, No Mow May, or Low Mow Spring. https://beecityusa.org/no-mow-may/

Does "No Mow May" work for your South Texas yard? | San Antonio River Authority

Pictures courtesy of Google Images

6

Christmas in the Forest – Part 2

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Mrs. G looks around. It appeared that everyone had arrived. She goes over to Mr. G. He is speaking with Stag.

Mr. G: I don’t want a repeat of last year. The does are here to enjoy themselves, not to fend you off. It’s too late in the year for that nonsense.

Stag: Some of them enjoy the attention.

Mr. G: And some of them don’t. If you can’t behave properly, this will be your last “truce”. You look like you might be a tasty post-hibernation snack.

Mrs. G: Dear! I told you – none of those jokes tonight.

Mr. G (looks at Stag): Who says I’m joking?

Stag: Very well. Point made. (Walks off.)

Mrs. G: I’m going to serve dinner.

She motions everyone to be quiet.

Mrs. G: Welcome everyone! I hope you’re having a good time. The food is ready, so enjoy.

The carnivores settle in one place, the herbivores in another. The herbivores are not at all comfortable watching the bears eating other animals, even if they weren’t relatives.

Mr. G is in a bad mood. He doesn’t like being near his favorite snacks and not be able to eat them. It was risky for Mrs. G to go to the ranches to get the cows and sheep. What if she got shot for the benefit of some stupid deer?

Mr. G: Darling, why is Mrs. B sitting with the carnivores? She says she doesn’t eat anything except berries. She should be over there with the mice and squirrels.

Mrs. G: Don’t be silly. She’s a bear and a member of the family. Look at her. Do you really think she’d be that “healthy looking” if all she ate was berries? That’s just another of her acts. Besides, the raccoons are with us and they eat anything.

Mr. G: Exactly. They eat meat.

Mrs. G nuzzles him. He hugs her and calms down.

The talk turns to the coming winter. All the signs point to a worse year than last year. The hibernators wonder if they’d put on enough fat. The small animals worry that they will end up as someone’s meal.

Mrs. G: Enough of the gloom. We’re here to have fun. I have a special treat for dessert.

Everyone waits in anticipation. She disappears into the den and comes back with her paws full of honeycombs. The guests gasp.

Mr. B: Mmm! Where did you find that much honey?

Mrs. G: It’s top secret. (She had found a rancher who raised honey bees.)

She divides the honey between all of the guests, the size of the treat proportional to the size of the animal. The small animals had never tasted honey; it belonged to the bears in the forest. Mrs. G stopped in front of the Black Bears. She gives a large piece to Mr. B and looks at Mrs. B.

Mrs. G: Do you want a piece, dear? I guess probably not, since it’s not berries.

Mr. G smiles at his wife’s cleverness. He could see Mrs. B struggling with an answer. Everyone knows black bears love honey. Finally Mrs. B. gives in.

Mrs. B: Well, I guess I could make an exception this one time. A small piece would be lovely.

Mrs. G: I’m so glad you’ll try it. It really is delicious.

Mr. G has trouble not laughing.

After dinner, the animals play games. The bears wrestle and most of the others run around. Mr. G sees Stag talking with some the does and walks over to see what is going on.

Stag: Mr. G, what a wonderful party you and your wife have put together! We’ve been talking about how great the food was.

Doe: Yes, I’m having a lot of fun. And Stag has been entertaining us with stories of how he has escaped being a trophy on somebody’s wall for the last couple of years. I’d heard that he is rather wild, but he’s been a perfect gentleman all evening.

Stag smiles gratefully. He had hoped someone would have noticed the change. Mr. G nods in approval and returns to his wife.

Mr. G: Well dear, it looks like another success.

Mrs. G: I think you’re right. Have you managed to make it around to say hello to everyone?

Mr. G: I think so.

Mrs. G: Even the herbivores?

Mr. G (low growl): You know I hate talking to them. They’re all afraid of me.

Mrs. G: Well you are the biggest, noisiest bear in the forest. And you look pretty grumpy most of the time. Go show them your charming side.

Mr. G (sighs): Yes, dear.

He heads to the herbivores looking as friendly as possible.

Soon the guests start to leave. Mrs. Snowshoe Rabbit looks around anxiously.

Mrs. S: Has anyone seen my husband?

The herbivores look around nervously. They don’t see Mr. S or Mr. G.

Mrs. S (looking at Mrs. G): You don’t think…

Mrs. G (a little nervous): Don’t worry, dear. I’m sure he’s around somewhere.

Just as she starts toward the trees, Mr. G and Mr. S appear, talking intently to each other. Seeing his wife’s face, Mr. S hurries over to assure her that all is well.

Mr. S: Don’t worry, sweetie. Mr. G was just showing me how to spot those traps the humans put up in the winter.

Mrs. S: That’s very kind of you, Mr. G. Thank you so much. I’m sorry I thought something bad had happened.

Mr. G: No hard feelings at all. I know my reputation. Have a safe trip home.

The Grizzlies start to get ready for bed.

Mrs. G: I’m so proud of you, being so gracious to all the herbivores.

Mr. G (feeling guilty): Well, not quite all of them.

Mrs. G: What do you mean?

Mr. G: Well…. Those skunks who kept running around pretending to squirt everyone really got on my nerves. I took them out back, but they just laughed. So I hit them with my paw.

Mrs. G: So what happened?

Mr. G: Well, the neighbors won’t have to worry about the smell anymore. The bodies are out back. (Waits for Mrs. G’s response.)

Mrs. G: Well, since the deed is done, let’s have a midnight snack.