I’d like to thank my illustrator, Jonathan Woodward, for his wonderful and whimsical insect illustrations. My book, “Can You See If I’m A Bee?”, couldn’t have won the SF Book Festival award without him. Check out his website to view all of his other captivating illustrations; he also sells books, puzzles, and beautiful calendars at jonathanwoodwardstudio.com.
My book, “Can You See If I’m A Bee?”, won the runner-up award for the best children’s picture book in the San Francisco Book Festival Contest. I am honored to win this award, as thousands of authors compete for it. I’m thankful that organizations like this exist as it gives authors the opportunity to get recognition for their hard work. It is nice to know that the judges recognized that bees are endangered and that there needs to be more publicity and education regarding this disturbing fact.
Today I’m going to start with one of the ten things you probably don’t
know about bumblebees: They are fuzzy, friendly bees!
Until about 1910, bumble bees were known as “humble bees”. I wonder
if their original name came from the fact that bumble bees are the gentlest of
bees? Generally, they are very docile and don’t form swarms like honeybees.
Besides, only female bumble bees have stingers and, because they are so
good-natured, it is difficult to make one angry enough to sting you.
To test this theory out, I gently touched a bumble bee while she was
hovering and busy pollinating flowers in my garden. (I don’t recommend that
anyone allergic to bee stings try this!) A light touch didn’t seem to
threaten or make her angry, which goes to show how amiable bumble bees are
towards humans. However, I wouldn’t do this near her home, as she will be
aggressive towards someone who is threatening her nest. More interesting
information about bumblebees will be in my next blog.
May 20th is World Bee Day! This
international day celebrates bees and acknowledges their significant role as
pollinators for our ecosystem. Bees are responsible for pollinating three-fourths
of the world’s flowering plants as well as most of our food crops. So today,
don’t take these small creatures for granted but give thanks to what they do
for you and the rest of humankind!
Happy Earth Day! One way to help Mother Earth is to plant native
milkweed. Once planted, monarch butterflies will lay their eggs and soon you’ll
discover caterpillars eating the leaves. Don’t worry, the caterpillars pupate
and before they hatch, the milkweed grows back in time for the mature monarch
butterflies to feed on the flowers’ nectar. Adult butterflies lay their eggs
and the circle of life begins again!
Happy Earth Month, April 2023. Do your part to help our planet thrive by helping our Earth’s pollinators! Support science-based groups like the Pollinator Partnership that promote practical ways to help pollinators in trouble through conservation, education, and research.
