It's been a productive day. My youngest daughter informed us this morning that she had a half term project to create a presentation on her favorite entrepreneur, so we've been all over that today. Also, there were 2 bumblebees in the garden, all slow and stupid, so we mixed some sugar and water, and fed it to them. Have you ever seen a bee's tongue? Unbelievably long. Actually, more like a straw. The first one was fine after his sugar rush, the second though isn't doing too well. He seems pretty old, I can't see his wings being any use to him any more. He just wants human contact now. I fear he won't make it. Amazing though, I enjoyed it.
Nice thread, Woody. For a moment there I thought it was about Brentford players taking their work home
She chose Steve Jobs. It turned out to be more of an adventure in IT. I am not the most gifted in that department. The whoops of joy when we managed to get an image from the internet onto her presentation were akin to those when OBZ hit the back of the net.
Bees are important. I was considering making (buying) a hive, but my daughters said it would be too scary. They're scared of spiders though.
Me and my girls do that sugary water thing when we see a bee struggling in the garden. We also leave water out for 'Spiky' the hedgehog when it gets warm as hedgehogs can die from dehydration. I was going to see the Steve Jobs film, but I thought I'd wait and see if they bring out a better version next year.
Best to wait until the next version Ninesy - you can only get into the cinema to see the current film if you're left handed. Otherwise you need to upgrade to imax.
How do you feed the sugar water to the bees? I assume sweetener would do a similar but less effective job (we don't have proper sugar)?
We put honey onto a spoon and put it down in front of them Always a joy to see them take off again And they have never once stolen a spoon
We mixed it on a plate and put the bee on there to sniff it out. Yesterday, one did, one didn't. The one that didn't would only take it from my finger tip and then would climb on and stay on my hand, for warmth I assume (or love?).
For all those who are West London based, don't think you can't have your own bees (or hens); https://hencorner.com/bees/ Enjoy.
I know bees do like to warm themselves. Our house is painted pale yellow and the big bumble bees like to bask in the late evening sun (they don't like the darker blue paint from next door for some reason). I think it does give them energy. Not sure I could pop one on my finger though so you're a braver man than me Woody!
I read a bit about them last night, it said if their body temperature falls below 30C they can't fly. I brought the old looking one indoors when it got dark last night and put him near to a light and he definitely perked up. My missus got the hump last night, jealous maybe, about me and the bees, she even gave me a good kick in the night. It's ****ing nuts round my house!
A Portuguese lady near us clearly has too many hens for personal need in urban Leamington Spa, as she regularly gives us a dozen surplus eggs. We also had a good discussion about keeping rabbits for the table, but both her and my family objected. I like a good bit of rabbit, very tasty. Apiary. What a great word. Sadly our tiny garden is mainly patio and artificial turf, makes livestock, even of the insect variety, a bit impractical. Great thread Woody.
Ah to have a garden...I look out the window of our flat to a flower box hanging from the rail. Dead flowers and a small fake bird. There were once two fake birds, but a pigeon stole one to do I know not what with.
