#beebloom2016

While we're having a considerably mild fall in PA again this year, calendula has been impressing me with it's hardy ongoing full bloom despite cold nights. Predicted seasonal daytime high temps in mid-40s will keep the bees snuggling in their nests instead of foraging on this one for nectar and pollen, though. Calendula officinalis is native to Europe and the Mediterranean. The name “Calendula” comes from the Latin, calendae, which means “little clock” or “little calendar” because the calendula flowers close at night. Calendula flowers also close before the rain, and it can be used as a simple weather guide, which is why another possible meaning of the name “Calendula” is “little weather-glass”. (tcpermaculture.com). Calendula is a good companion plant for tomatoes, an edible for humans and the orange colored petals just plain makes me happy! #beebloom2016 #beebloom2016cjn #bees #beekeeping #calendula #Calendulaofficinalis (at Central Lawrenceville)

observation hive with blue-dot 2015 queen re-installed at apoidea for this winter. These gals amaze me every year when they resettle within about 2 hours 7' up and back above their summer colony position in a Lang sitting on the ground. I use lemongrass to redirect the foragers to their new window entrance. Lots of white, yellow, and light and dark orange pollen coming in. #bees #beekeeping #observationhive #beebloom2016 #beebloom2016cjn #pollen (at Millvale, Pennsylvania)

spring above .... fall below. Bees have been backfilling their brood chambers with the remains of fall flow after mid-summer brood zone expansion. I try to run three deeps on my hives before supering with mediums so fall harvest often has single frames that are a seasonal mix. #beebloom2016 #beebloom2016cjn #honey #bees #sunkencappings (at Edgewood, Pennsylvania)

8.27.16 Waggle Dance Decode : So per the sun position at 3:15pm today which was +/- S 45d W, apparently there's a good yield of white grey pollen not far off to due west of the Phipps Observation hive, probably in Panther Hollow/ Schenley Park. Thistles are still yielding a bit but Jimson Weed and Panicle Hydrangea also blooming as well. @phippsconservatory #phippshoneys #waggledancedecode #beebloom2016 (at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens)

green metallics of different sizes in the buffet line at #wingstem .... #Verbesina alternifolia #beebloom2016 #beebloom2016cjn (at Millvale, Pennsylvania)

the #knotweed cometh ... probably 2-3 weeks out from beginning of good incoming nectar yield but need to have formic done and wets back on very soon. Temps predicted to be great over the next week for good formic vaporization while not being over 90 deg F. Ironweed, wingstem firing up too. #beebloom2016 #beebloom2016cjn (at Pittsburgh (Hazelwood) PA)

Long tongues and little bodies both looking for a snack in #Monarda's deep nectary. #Xylocopa #beebloom2016 #beebloom2016cjn #psu4bees (at Arboretum Penn State)

Rattlesnake Master blooms loaded with honey, bumble and metallic bee activity this evening. Sweet fragrance from this perennial native to tallness prairie is pretty lovely. Eryngium yuccifolium Carrot family (Apiaceae). #RattlesnakeMaster #Eryngiumyuccifolium #beebloom2016 #beebloom2016cjn #bees #honeybees (at Penn State Arboretrum)