Today....

[GrayBeard]

I will be 'class coordinator' for a presentation by our local "OASIS" chapter entitled "The Buzz About Bees".
All that really means is I get to see that the room is set up, refreshments are prepared, attendance is taken, and distribute and collect the evaluation sheets filled out by the participants. But I get to attend for FREE.

Will report any interesting facts I learn about Bees.

If you are 50 years or older check oasisnet.org and see if you have a chapter nearby.
Lots of interesting things to see and do!

~~~GrayBeard~~~

[Marcellarius]

Will report any interesting facts I learn about Bees.

I know one thing, they sting......


so beware an be careful

[northie66]

They make honey too.

[GrayBeard]

Without bees we are in big trouble!The domestic Honey Bee is responsible for pollinating MOST of the crops we need for FOOD.
Recent declines in bee populations have resulted in drastic reduction of certain vegetable and fruit crops. Currently there are Contract Bee Keepers that take their hives from place to place in order to pollinate the crops. Normally bees have a ONCE a year cycle of pollinating but by moving them from place to place they can pollinate as much as FIVE times in a single year. This comes at great expense because the bees become overworked and stressed and thus they become susceptible to parasites, Pollution, pathogens, etc. and their populations decline.
Albert Einstein is quoted as saying, "If the bees become extinct man will perish in about FOUR years!"

We were able to sample 7 different kinds of Honey and the best by far was harvested from the hives at the St. Louis ZOO! The one I am going to try and find is made from the pollen of bees that pollinate the "Tupelo" tree in the southeast U.S. It has the highest concentration of Fructose and therefore does NOT crystalize in the jar! African Acacia honey was tasty but strong. The two Australian varieties were so strong as to taste like 'black strap molasses'.

Many veterenarians use honey to treat skin wounds and disorders in animals since it causes less scarring and promotes faster healing.

BEES are "good guys"!

~~~GrayBeard~~~

[Wandascroller]

Graybeard My Dad & his mate(both dec.) use to keep bees. What you tasted was probably what I know as Iron Bark honey which is from Eucalyptus trees. Shame they didn't have any clover honey it is pale & yum, Tea tree honey ( from coastal heath areas) that is darker than clover but still a lot paler than the Iron bark.   

[GrayBeard]

Wanda...over here in the 'colony' as children we used to make 'clover' chains from the clover growing in with the grass during the growing season. One of the problems is that now everyone wants a beautiful 'green' carpet around their house and all the clover has been eradicated in suburban areas.
So, no clover = fewer bees!
I love 'Clover Honey' on warm 'bizkits'! It is also great for sweetening coffee and tea.

NOTE: If you are buying honey it is best to seek out a LOCAL source that produces in your area. So much of the 'commercial' honey is now coming from CHINA and is being exported through other countries before it gets to your packagers. That way the Chinese circumvent the restrictions many countries have placed on the Chinese honey due to all the harmful chemicals in their honey.


~~~GrayBeard~~~