Tuesday, June 23, 2020

National Pollinator Week 2020

The birds and the invertebrates



Ant: photo by Cliff Hutson
Ant: photo by Cliff Hutson

June 22-28, 2020 is National Pollinator Week.   It is an annual celebration of the many animals that move pollen to help plants make fruit or seeds.

While it is probably safe to say that most people readily identify honey bees as pollinators, many other creatures are also crucial to the lifecycle of plants.  It should not be a surprise that butterflies  and moths are among the usual suspects.  (Ants should probably be excluded, but I like my opening photograph so I am including it anyway.)

Butterfly Bush: photo by Cliff Hutson
Butterfly Bush: photo by Cliff Hutson

Another thing that I find amusing is that much of the literature maintains that flower shape dictates the pollinators for a plant. Which is to say that flat flowers attract butterflies, cup shaped flowers bees, and tubular flowers humming birds. However, as I used to joke with my students, the animals do not read those papers. 

To wit, I can present bees  that are thinking outside of the box or perhaps they just have a rebellious nature.


Bee on California Sunflower; photo by Cliff Hutson
Bee on California Sunflower; photo by Cliff Hutson


Bee & Camellia: photo by Cliff Hutson
Bee & Camellia: photo by Cliff Hutson


Nevada Mining Bee: photo by Cliff Hutson
Nevada Mining Bee: photo by Cliff Hutson

While Ladybugs are noted for eating aphids and other plant destroying pests, it seems that help in pollination as well.

Ladybug: photo by Cliff Hutson
Ladybug: photo by Cliff Hutson

Finally, this butterfly seems to be going by the book.

Painted Lady Butterfly: photo by Cliff Hutson
Painted Lady Butterfly: photo by Cliff Hutson

Pollinators are essential to our environment. The ecological service they provide is necessary for the reproduction of over 85% of the world’s flowering plants, including more than two-thirds of the world’s crop species.  

Here are some ways that we can help them to carry on:
  • Grow a variety of bee-friendly flowers that bloom from spring through fall.
  • Protect and provide bee nests and caterpillar host plants.
  • Avoid using pesticides, especially insecticides.





Thursday, June 4, 2020

Reading Log: May 2020

The books that I finished reading in May 2020



May 2020 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson
May 2020 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson


“Saturn Run,” John Sanford and Ctein

“Iced in Paradise,” Naomi Hirahara

“Stalking the Angel,” Robert Crais

“The End of October,” Lawrence Wright



Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Reading Log: April 2020

The books that I finished reading in April 2020


April 2020 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson
April 2020 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

Heart of Barkness,” Spencer Quinn

“The Harlem Hellfighters,” Max Brooks

"The End is Always Near,” Dan Carlin

Sixkill,” Robert B. Parker


Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Reading Log: March 2020

The books that I finished reading in March 2020


March 2020: photo by Cliff Hutson
March 2020: photo by Cliff Hutson


“The Scorekeeper,”  Dustin Stevens

“The Shape Shifter,” Tony Hillerman

“The Bear,” Dustin Stevens

The three listed above are ones I actually read.  The Sibley's I just referenced a lot as I continued my participation in The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology citizen science  Project FeederWatch.


Monday, June 1, 2020

Reading Log: February 2020

The books that I finished reading in February 2020


February 2020 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson
February 2020 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson 


The Greatest Books You’ll Never Read,” Bernard Richards

“The Western Star,” Craig Johnson

“Darkest Hour,” Anthony McCarten

“Cover Fire,” Dustin Stevens

“The Partnership,” Dustin Stevens

"The Ranger," Ace Atkins

“The Return of Jeeves,” P. G. Wodehouse

“Justice,” Dustin Stevens