MORE ABOUT THE NATURAL WORLD:
I am going to continue with a further blog relating to the natural world.
It seems that from May onwards, it is the most interesting and exciting time!
Many baby birds will have hatched, lambs are having a wonderful time out in the open, and trees are now festooned with many shades of green leaves.
Flowers of all kinds are starting to bloom, which gives the signal to another important part of the natural jigsaw----the bee.
THE NO NONSENCE LESSONS:
NESTING MATERIAL:
In the age of differing ways to bring up children, and fashions for disciplining or non disciplining, it is interesting to see in the natural world, that there is really no room for testing out new methods. It is the tried and tested system of the school of hard knocks!
Birds have a strict routine.
Despite their nests perhaps looking fragile, they are surprisingly tough.
Many different materials can be found in a bird`s nest, intricately woven to provide a strong robust home.
As chicks hatch out, they are constantly hungry. and grow very quickly. Food is brought in the form of worms and insects by one or both parents.
As a result, there is a lot of activity in the nest, so an effective design is key.
There may be a weak chick which is not thriving like the rest which may be tipped out of the nest by the other chicks, or even by the parents. The lesson being that only the fit and strong survive.
When the chicks start to learn to fly, the same set of rules apply. Practice makes perfect, and survival of the fittest.
There is no room for weakness in the animal kingdom, as there are always predators looking for an easy meal, and a weak youngster would hold back the rest of the young from progressing, and may even put them at risk.
It`s interesting listening to the various bird songs and the communication between them. One sings and then another replies! If only we knew what they were saying?
Sheep on the other hand have a very definite call to their lamb(s), and vice versa.
They clearly have a strict code of conduct and it isn`t difficult to almost read what the ewe is communicating to the lamb if she is not pleased with it.
Ewes can also abandon their lambs if one from a multiple set is not thriving or is smaller than the rest.
This gives rise to problems as to feeding the rejected lamb, either by finding a substitute mother, or by bottle feeding by farm staff.
At this time of year there are often young calves in fields with their mothers.
They tend to look adorable and cute, and extremely photogenic, but woe betide anyone who approaches a calf when its mother is around.
Cows can be extremely aggressive towards anyone approaching their calf, and unfortunately there have been many accidents, including fatalities, when foolish people think a photograph would be in order.
There is very little room for sentiment in the natural world.
Youngsters if fit and healthy are well looked after and taught the necessary skills required for the big outdoors.
THE REASON FOR FLOWERS:
HONEY BEES AT WORK:
From now on flowers of all sorts will add colour everywhere.
Some flowers will be wild, whilst others will be planted in gardens.
Flowers make everything look better. Their colours, and scents lift the spirits and are a natural attraction for bees.
It is often forgotten, that plants and flowers are the basis for many remedies which were the forerunners of modern medications.
NATURE`S BLUE CARPET:
BLUBELL WOODS
They are not just pretty things to brighten up the garden, but are designed to be fertilized by passing insects, butterflies and bees which will cross pollinate, allowing the flower to multiply.
Nectar is the jewel in the crown, a sweet sticky liquid and loved by bees.
In order for the bees to access the nectar, usually at the base of the flower, they will get covered in pollen, which will be transported to the next flower.
THE FASCINATING WORLD OF BEES:
BEES AND WAX HONEYCOMB:
Bees have a mixed audience.
Unfortunately they tend to be associated with their memorable sting!
However, ever efficient, the bee sting is merely an effective defence mechanism, and will only be used if the bee thinks it is under threat.
Honey bees look rather like wasps and have a barbed sting.
They are part of a highly organized group of hundreds of bees, the central one being the Queen.
Because of their ability to make honey, the bees are often kept in hives. They are incredibly hard working and efficient, with each type of bee having a set job to do.
Not only do they produce honey, but the worker bees manufacture wax in a unique hexagonal design, to create storage for the honey, pollen and larvae.
The honey is not only a delicious addition to eat, but it also contains all sorts of medicinal benefits.
The large bumble bee does not make honey, but is a very successful pollinator.
Bees are absolutely key to the continuation of our natural world.
Plants and trees have to be fertilized in order to produce flowers and fruit, so bees are vital for this.
VITAL FOR OUR SURVIVAL:
BUTTERFLIES ALSO DISTRIBUTE POLLEN:
By just picking out a few species from the natural world, and making observations about them, we can quickly see how much we not only depend on them, but learn from them as well, as they provide us with many essentials of life.
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