Comments on: Bees and Sunspots

By: DarcsFalcon

DarcsFalcon — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:13:43 +0000

I saw this article today and thought I’d pass it along. Perhaps all the bees have been going to NC, or hiding out in other people’s homes – maybe part of the Bee Witness Protection Program. ;)

Seriously though, I thought it was interesting to note how so many bees are disappearing, yet thousands have taken refuge in some guy’s house.

Here’s a link to the article: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,367442,00.html

Thanks! Vanessa

By: BarryW

BarryW — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:04:55 +0000

Re: Jeff Alberts (20:13:48)

And all this time we thought he was giving AGW lectures and it was really Vogon poetry! They must have actually given him the Nobel to try and shut him up.

By: crosspatch

crosspatch — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:37:57 +0000

Yikes, I have been transported back in time! I thought it felt cooler today.

By: poetSam

poetSam — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:59:03 +0000

Why would bees sacrifice their stingers and their lives over a smell? I’m not disputing just computing.

By: Bruce Cobb

Bruce Cobb — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:40:11 +0000

Pam, for keeping bees at bay, have you tried upping your intake of zinc? I have no personal knowledge of this working, but have read that it can work, possibly by altering the body’s smell. Better from foods like oysters, red meats and fortified cereals if possible. Also can take zinc supplements, but always best to check with a doctor of course. And, they say dressing plainly (white, khaki and other light colors) also helps. Good thing you’re not allergic.

By: Retired Engineer

Retired Engineer — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:59:04 +0000

re: old construction worker: About Pam: Couldn’t agree more.

In my case, it’s mosquito’s. They don’t just bite, they line up. Sometimes take numbers. I had to move to the high plains to escape them, they still chase me. Even a bee bit me once. (really) Hate to think what could happen if I encounter a vampire bat…)

Slightly more on topic, a beekeeper friend sent me this:

“There are massive ongoing losses of honeybee colonies… several new parasites/diseases imported in recent years, major stress on colonies used for commercial pollination ( a large portion of the US bee population), issues with loss of genetic variation as a result of commercial practice raising queens, several other factors subject to debate for significance in the problem including diet and treatment with various chemicals and antibiotics.”

Touches most of the bases. So he raises “mutt” bees, low stress, simple food.

By: Pamela Gray

Pamela Gray — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:48:28 +0000

One time I was on a hike along a horse trail in the Deschutes. I came across a horse blanket laying on the ground on the trail. Being a woman I thought someone lost a very nice horse blanket and someone should hang that up so that the owner could find it instead of it being trampled into the ground. So that is what I did. I shortly thereafter discovered that said horse blanket was actually placed on the ground to cover a ground hive entrance to a hornets’ nest. Needless to say, I looked like a warty witch soon after. Hornet stings are NASTY and hurt for hours and hours! Luckily there was a wide shallow spring nearby with a gravelly bottom (actually more like 50 yards on down the trail which I managed to sprint in Olympic record style). I rolled in the water till the bees decided to leave me alone.

So it seems that if I haven’t had my yearly sting, I actually go out of my way to find the damned things!

By: Pamela Gray

Pamela Gray — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:32:39 +0000

Not after I’m stung @$%#it!!!

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:18:31 +0000

Well, I decided to ask my bees about it. They told me it is actually all the hot air from the media and the left blowing them off course.

Thankfully in the conservative West MI it isn’t too bad yet so my hives are thriving.

By: old construction worker

old construction worker — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:56:00 +0000

Pamela Gray
Why is it, pray tell, that bees seem to think I am a target worth stinging?

You’r too darn sweet.

By: poetSam

poetSam — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:20:49 +0000

Never mind jeez, delete my previous comment. I forgot the Vogon post (I do admire their poetry though).

By: poetSam

poetSam — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:19:28 +0000

jeez, you make me laugh. But i was completely serious.

By: jeeztheadmin

jeeztheadmin — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:16:57 +0000

Ok mixing of metaphors is allowed. Mixing of sci fi metaphors~I'm going to have to consult Anthony. We may have to modify the board policy. REPLY: Scifi notables are ok as long as it isn't referencing Battlestar Galactica or Plan 9 from Outer Space.

By: poetSam

poetSam — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:15:47 +0000

Pam,

Interesting. I think it has to do with attitude. For a mental exercise look into a fish tank and establish eye contact with the fish. Give them complete respect. Admire their beauty.

Do not try the above with cows. I tried for 6 months. I lost most of my respect for them.

By: Jeff Alberts

Jeff Alberts — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:13:48 +0000

Actually…there is another theory. HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY had it wrong…it is not the mice who were the secret masters of Earth’s destiny. It was the bees. They are departing now right before the Vogons demolish Earth to make way for a new hyperspace bypass. No doubt, someone will find a message from the bees: “So long, and thanks for all the pollen.”

And Al Gore is obviously the Vogon stealth bureaucrat sent to soften up any resistance, which is, of course, useless.