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All Posts Tagged Tag: ‘flowers’

  • LV Blog Bumblebee Oct. 2016 Bee Cause FF

    Bee Cause…! October ?

    Big-Brained’ Bumblebees Access Tools!
    Bumblebees may have small brains, but there’s significantly more happening beneath those exoskeletons than previously thought. Over the last decade bumblebees have proven themselves to be quite remarkable little beings with complex navigational and communication skills, emotions, and even facial recognition.

    Now a study at Queen Mary University of London has successfully challenged the long held notion that only ‘large-brained’ beings can maneuver with tools. Cognitive scientist Lars Chittka and his team found that bumblebees could solve tasks and use tools to gain access to nectar. But better yet, they’ve shown bumblebees can learn this task from other bees and hive mates, without ever experiencing these tasks in nature.

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  • LV Blog Bee Cause Sept. 2016

    Bee Cause…! September ?

    I Absolutely Love This Quote!

    ‘Unique among all creatures, only the honeybee improves the environment and preys not on any other species…’
    – Royden Brown

    Ten Fun Facts About Honeybees!

    Honeybees, scientifically known as Apis mellifera (meaning honey-carrying bee), have been buzzing around on earth for over 30-millions of years. Humans and honeybees have had a long and loyal relationship for thousands of years. Honeybees are the only insect that create/produce food we eat. ?

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  • LV Blog Buzz Pollination Bee Cause Sept 2016FF

    Bee Cause…! August ?

    Buzz-Pollination!

    Most flowering plants have their pollen readily available for any and all pollinators to gather. But some plants are a bit more selective, even somewhat stubborn about whom they will share their nutritious golden treasure.

    I just learned about a pollinating technique called ‘Buzz-Pollination from a video series produced by PBS called ‘Deep Look’. Chances are good that you have personally benefited from buzz-pollination’ through enjoying tomatoes, blue berries, cranberries, peppers, eggplant and even potatoes.

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  • Flower Piano FF

    Bee Cause…! July ?

    San Francisco Botanical Garden ‘Flower Piano’

    The San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park is in full bloom this summer with pollinators going wild! Look at this fabulous honeybee gathering pollen from a huge Matillija Poppy. Her little pollen purses are just teaming with food for her hive-mates.

    We attended the annual ‘Flower Piano’ event this month. During our visit, strolling through this 55-acre San Francisco gem in Golden Gate Park, we saw over 5 different species of hummingbirds, fury bumble bees, honeybees, wild bees, along with numerous species of butterflies, not to mention a huge variety of botanical wonders from all over the world.

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  • L.V. Bee Cause May 2016FF

    Bee Cause…! June ?

    Ah the gentle hum of the blooming privet trees filled with happy bees! Every summer our Privet trees create a wondrous foraging ground for our local pollinators. I enjoy sitting in the garden, sipping my tea, and listening to the concert of deep buzzing produced […]

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  • Bee Cause May 2016FF

    Bee Cause…! May ?

    This month the lavender, verbena, and bottle brush are sustaining our resident flutter-bye populations. Just last weekend the Rhododendrons began to bloom, which attracted an incredible, visually dynamic, early morning brunch-fest. I just smiled as I observed their pleasant hum from my big, old, teak garden chair, sipped my first hot cup-oh-joe…

    What a treat…! ???

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  • IMG 0663 E1462990925553

    Bee Cause…! April ?

    We visited the Gallery of California Natural Sciences in Oakland to see the Honeybee exhibit and learned about the 1,600 species of bees that live in California. Bees help produce our food and keep our ecosystem buzzing. There are many things we can all do to better support our local pollinators. It begins with creating a healthy and reliable food source for them, free of dangerous pesticides. Many people are unaware of the devastating effects systemic fertilizers, RoundUp, and neonicotinoids have on our wonderful pollinator communities. These chemicals contaminate the pollen and nectar bees feed upon, which in turn wipes out entire colonies.

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  • Bee Cause Feb. 2017 FF

    Bee Cause…! February ?

    Rainy Day Bees!

    Northern California has been a very wet, soggy place this winter. However, we are loving all the rain since our region has been in a severe drought for the last 5-years. ☔️

    The winter months pose a tough time for honeybees due to the impact of cold & rain on foraging and the availability of pollen. During a break from a recent rainy deluge, I came across this busy bee gathering pollen for her hive mates. Working with great vigilance, she moved from flower to flower on our Camellia bush. If you look closely, you can see the rain drops on the top of the petals… ?

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  • LV Blog Bee Cause Jan. 2017 FF

    Bee Cause…! January ?

    ? Winter Bee Food ?

    Yesterday after the rain stopped, I ventured through the garden to document the blooming plants producing food for our local & migratory pollinators. I photo document this seasonal bloom-cycle twice a month throughout the year to make sure our little nectar-loving friends are always ensured a veritable smorgasbord in our garden.

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  • LV Blog Bee Cause Dec. 2016 FF

    Bee Cause…! December ?

    The Little Bee That Saved Christmas ?

    In the queendom of beedom, there is known to be a small bee from the genus Hylaeus sp. that has been credited with saving Christmas by researchers in New Zealand. This sweet little bee formed a much needed, yet mysterious symbiotic relationship with a very rare form of mistletoe (Peraxilla tetrapetala).

    Now this is not your average, run-of-the-mill mistletoe. Rather, a single Peraxilla plant can live for more than a century, producing a cluster of spectacular crimson buds each year around the time of the Winter Solstice. ?

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  • LV Blog Monsanto Bee Cause Nov. 2016FF

    Bee Cause…! November ?

    Nectar Sweet Victory Against Monsanto!
    A district judge in the state of Yucatán, Mexico has overturned a permit that would have allowed Monsanto to commercially plant hundreds of thousands of hectares of soybeans genetically modified to resist the company’s infamous pesticide Roundup. The new ruling stated that introducing GM crops to the region would most certainly threaten the established and highly lucrative honey production.

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  • Bulbs 8 May 20152 E1434494905920

    Le Voov! Garden – Planting Bulbs With Otter!

    Otter-Pop the dog really enjoys the flowers of springtime, particularly the Daffodils and Narcissus. With the lack of winter temperatures or rain due to California’s forth year of severe drought, planting season came earlier than usual this year. So, I picked up a bag of 50-bulbs for Otter-Pop to decorate throughout the garden.

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  • OtterFP2

    Otter-Pop’s Squeaky-Ball Drama… ? ?

    You know something is desperately wrong when your 70-lbs. Chocolate Labrador/German Shorthaired Pointer pup climbs into your unsuspecting lap and gives you this look. Something truly dreadful has happened and they need your help. NOW!!!

    During a recent construction project at the house, an abandoned heater vent was discovered tucked deep under the lath & plaster. Apparently no one had bothered to inform the dog about this new gaping whole in the wall, and just guess what happened…?

    Yep, Otter-Pop’s favorite and most cherished toy, her obnoxious yellow squeaky-ball, found it’s way down into that naughty hole in the wall. Rats! ?

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  • IMG 1011 E1463011357364

    Exploring Pulgas Ridge Preserve! ? ?

    Our dog Otter-Pop and I enjoy exploring the many open space preserves we have surrounding us in the San Francisco Bay Area. On a gorgeous spring day, we went to bang out a 6-mile run at Pulgas Ridge Preserve in San Carlos, California.

    Pulgas Ridge Open Space is a well managed 293-acres preserve that has a variety of trails and an expansive ‘Off-leash’ area for our K-9 pals to mingle and romp together. Some of the trails are quite rigorous, while others are paved fire roads, which make for great accessibility for people of all sizes, ages and abilities. Otter-Pop and I frequent the Dusky-footed Woodrat Trail on a very regular basis. This preserve is closed to bike riding, so you don’t need to fear getting blown off the trail by some yahoo screaming around a blind turn. All of these amenities lead to a peaceful, relaxing experience beneath the quiet, shady trees.

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  • IMG 7478 2 E1462996201196

    Bee Cause…! ?

    Bee Calm & Buzz On… ???
    Bees, as well as other pollinators (bats, hummingbirds, butterflies/moths, etc.) are in serious peril these days as a result of the many compounding issues challenging their survival. Every year, we bolster our garden with pollinating, nectar-rich plants to ensure our local pollinators remain fortified, fat and happy! (Honestly, there is nothing better than smiling little bees with their legs fat with pollen, buzzing about the yard in bliss!) ???

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