Blueberrytalk's Weblog

Brinn at the Beach

blueberrytalk — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:37:35 +0000

Tobia’s latest is done in acrylic. (size:7×9 inches)

Brinn at the Beach

Cleaning Mason bees cocoons 2009

blueberrytalk — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:17:49 +0000

Getting rid of pollen mites is a good way help your Mason bee population grow. The cocoons in the picture are drying after being washed and dipped in a mild beach solution. They will be kept in a secure container to protect them from mice.

Mason bee cocoons

Candling the Mason bee cocoons shows which cocoons are not viable. Most of the cocoons in the batch above show a Mason bee inside in a fetal position. See other posts on Mason bees. http://blueberrytalk.wordpress.com/category/mason-bees/

Candling cocoons

Beautyberry has a rival in Pernettya

blueberrytalk — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:18:47 +0000

Stunning Pernettya berries are eye catchers in the fall. A similar sight is the riotous color of cranberries!

Pernettya

Cranberry harvest

Leaf cutter bees

blueberrytalk — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:37:30 +0000

When we opened up a Mason bee nest we found one tube with the typical leaf covered cocoons of a Leaf cutter bee.

Leaf cutter bee cocoons

Then we found some blueberry leaves with notches that would make one suspect Leaf cutter bees.

blueberry leaves

Check out this video to see the Leaf cutter bees in action.

http://www.archive.org/details/AlexisTancibokLeafCutterBee

Tobia’s art

blueberrytalk — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:13:46 +0000

Lately, Tobia (15 years old) has been working with pencil watercolor. Her most recent painting is of Stilton, her latest goat purchase.

Stilton

More than one turkey showed up for the Canadian thanksgiving. Tobia made a turkey using needle felting!

Turkey - needle felting

Beautyberry lives up to it’s name

blueberrytalk — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:31:48 +0000

The beautyberry rewards you twice; once when the bees gather pollen (see previous post) and again with a head turning display of purple berries.

beautyberry

Pumpkin nectar

blueberrytalk — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:19:35 +0000

This pumpkin blossom is a hit with the bees. Nectar for all!

Pumpkin nectar and bees

Yard art

blueberrytalk — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:27:45 +0000

Anyone turning into our driveway at the blueberry farm can’t help but notice our version of yard art – a woodpile. It probably wouldn’t have happened without some leftover shingles for a roof and a telephone pole to stabilize one end. With this start it became a reality. We hope it cheers you as it does us.

welcome!

Bluebeard and bees

blueberrytalk — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:17:55 +0000

Bluebeard (caryopteris incana) is a favorite of bees and bumblebees.

Bumblebee enjoying Bluebeard.

Sedum for late summer forage.

blueberrytalk — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:39:41 +0000

Sedum is another one of those plants with many small blossoms that bees have a fondness for. They blossom at a time when other plants have ceased flowering.

Sedum