Pollen & Pollinators
Article from USDA regarding commercial pollination of crops
https://doc-0g-3k-docs.googleusercontent.com/docs/securesc/kec1fmhqjmdocdvig2io73jaot3h9q83/q012tfiuq8ec77a115h6ud6dvcrg8utf/1650192525000/02716650731953237929/15206170971374683562Z/1gE57LKRyIXEA894zZNtiJp4A_KRfCl5x?e=download&nonce=q8tb01kjrpudc&user=15206170971374683562Z&hash=8g62f6sl98ipqm85d4r0vua6b7j4o6q7
How honey bees collect and distribute pollen
Why Our Food Supply Chain Depends on Pollinators…
How to create a “Bee Lawn”…
Pollinator honey bees at work in California. —More needed! (The Packer, February 21, 2022).
http://digitaledition.qwinc.com/display_article.php?id=4217497&view=738066
Borage plants
Honey bees on the sedum!
Loving the sedum.
Borage
Borage
Pollen particles on bee’s head
Be thoughtful when you revise your landscape theme.
Bee heading back to the hive with pollen.
Pollen sacs are loaded!-heading to unpack and load into comb cells.
Ragged load of pollen
Cross section of variety of pollen packed in comb cells.
Thanks to Merryjane Elkie of Maryland Beekeepers Exchange
seedum-a great perennial for honey bees and other pollinators. Lots of varieties and blooms locally in September when the bees are needing a nectar flow. Easy to plant and maintain.
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A different type pollinator came to visit this morning and stayed for a while. It’s been rare to see a hummingbird stay this long.
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More information, geared to our geographic area, from The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation:
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The garden does not have to be pristine! Leave some “homes” for pollinators to over-winter.
Goldenrod v. ragweed
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No bees=limited food choices
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Sometimes, pollinators are “territorial “…
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Ladybugs are pollinators!
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Frosted with pollen!
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I’ve been using an app called pollen.com . You can track the measured pollen levels daily for your specific area.
This app also alerts you to the type and origin of the pollen. Pollen provides a vital source of protein for honey bees.
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Read this post about using plants for pollinators, geared to our specific geographic area:
https://www.pollinator.org/PDFs/EasternBroadleaf.Oceanic.rx18.pdf
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Bumblebee hard at work.
Bumblebees doing their job as pollinators!
Pollen-covered forager!
Goldenrod is blooming and bees are on it!
Bats are making a comeback in Pennsylvania!
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Challenges to Pollinators-Light Pollution
https://www.darksky.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IDA-General-Brochure-English-06-2021.pdf
Light Pollution can Harm Wildlife
https://www.darksky.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Light-Pollution-Can-Harm-Wildlife-English.pdf
