Helpful Creatures

Take a Breath and Listen to the Bees

Take a Breath and Listen to the Bees

Even with everything occurring and abundant uncertainty, take a moment to drink some water, take a breath, and perhaps even hum a few bars like the bees do. It won’t create a vaccine, nor feed someone in need, nor even get your shopping done. However, it might just help you relieve the tension and other stresses you’re holding, at least for a time.

Why Botany?

Why Botany?

Over the years, people have asked why I’ve studied botany. Why do I care what happens in a forest half a world away? Usually the same people follow this with the assertion that yes, climate change is real, but it’s up to the big corporations to reverse it because they’re the initial cause.

Garden Spinners

Garden Spinners

I made a new garden spider friend at the arboretum, yesterday! As such, this is as much a PSA as an environmental observation: Be careful walking the paths today. The spiders are busy at work.

Flies as Pollinators

Flies as Pollinators

Today, as you may have deduced, we will be talking about flies and their role as pollinators. 

Garden Helpers: Awesome Arachnids

Garden Helpers: Awesome Arachnids

There are many people who have some level of arachnophobia, or a fear of spiders.  While most keep to themselves, there are some that are highly aggressive when disturbed.  Generally these species rely heavily on web cues and have rather poor eyesight. 

NOTE: There are images of spiders in this post.  If that is something that disturbs you, you’ve been forewarned.