Most of my readers know about my quest to get the perfect photo of a honey bee, if you missed it the story is here. Yesterday I was continuing in my quest for this photo when I came across a tragic sight. There on a leaf was the body of a little honey bee. I would like to request a moment of silence in honor of this fallen solider of nature.
At this point some of you may be wondering about my mental stability but bear with me just a bit longer.
When I saw this little bee I remember some articles I have recently read about the decline of the honey bee population world wide. The bees are being threatened by Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), this is a very serious problem which affects our food supply.
Well, you ask, how does this affect me? Crops, grain staples, like oats, corn and rice are wind pollinated and are not in danger but a third of our crops are pollinated by bees. Crops such as apples, pears, melons, cucumbers, and many others would be in danger. Other plants which don't make edible fruits but do produce seeds for future crops like carrots, onions and lettuce also rely on bees. Crops like alfalfa and clover, vital to the dairy and beef cattle industry, these rely on cross-pollination by bees.Are you starting to get the picture? Even if the crops were not entirely wiped out there would still be food shortages and staggering high prices at the grocery store.
Of course there is a controversy with one side saying the bees are disappearing and the other side arguing that the problem is being blown out of proportion. Is the honey bee in trouble? Or is this just a bunch of hype, over reported by the media to sell their stories?
Do we really want to take that chance?
I am not going into all the details here, that would fill several pages of this blog, but I am going to ask you to think about this, research and read about CCD. Find out what you can do to help. The honey bee is a very tiny little creature, but certainly not unimportant.
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8 comments:
I read about this too before. And I think you are right, we need to do something about this just to be safe. I'll check about CCD soon.
SQ: If you stop and think about it, the chain of earthly life would suffer more the loss of bees than the loss of humans. Bees are producers in the chain, while humans (much as I love them) are just useless and wanton consumers. I moment, then, for the noble and unsung bee.
You are getting ever closer to the perfect bee. Personally, if your quest keeps producing touching and beautiful photos like this, I hope you never find perfection. -- Mykal
Wow what a thought provoking article. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I must confess I wasn't aware of the plight of the bee. Your photos, even the sad one are beautiful.
Anne
I saw Bee Movie, so I know what will happen
((((Oh my goodness.... I was having the saddest moment, a serious moment... until ahem I read what Jase wrote... I am reaching for a Depends now....)))))
Seriously, I have read about this, too. I will research it and will look for a way to contribute. I did not like seeing the pic of the bee but it is something we all should look at. Thank you, SQ. I wish you, and our planet, many, many great years of abundant honey, incredible bee pix, and awareness to do what we can individually to fix this.
Jan,
That the way I was, I had read the information and just sort of put it aside for later. Thanks for reading.
Radiation Cinema,
You pretty much summed up the whole problem, us.
I will keep trying and the perfect one will never be the last, I can always do better. A squirrely lol.
Jase,
Shhh, don't give away the ending.
Lille Diane,
I hesitated before posting the poor little bee but I hoped it would help make the point.
Many years of abundant honey, tree houses, to all of us, we can make a difference.
SQ
I love the pictures! I've also heard this called "hive abandonment," and lawn chemicals are blamed. I refuse to use them, and my suburban, "homeowners association" neighbors take pictures of my lawn when the grass is still gray and the weeds turn green--they do this to send to the homeowners' association to complain (not for the purpose of art). So far, just mean letters and uncomfortable moments when I come outside and catch someone with a camera (one of the few things that stops it). Should I tell them about "hive abandonment?"
I have seen this information before, on TV, my husband watches a lot of documentary type shows and the plight of the honey bee was on one of them. I know they are needed and part of how God inteneded for things to be poinated. but when they sting they hurt and the ones in our back yard in just the last year have become agressive. bob and I talk about it a lot and wonder what has caused it. they are just regular honey bees, just like the one in my picture and in your pictures. they chase the dogs and chase us and we have to be very careful when they are on the flowers, not to brush up against them. we are wondering if they got crossed up with african killer bees. my mind knows we need them, but i am still afraid of them. i threatened to cut down the two powderpuff bushes since that is were they live. there is one or two on every flower. thanks for the info
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