Amateur Anthecologist Blog - links

[amateuranthecologist]

Wildflowers in March in SW OR, including Delphinium, Lomatium, Viola, and others.

http://www.amateuranthecologist.com/2016/04/wildflowers-in-march.html

[Maggi Young]

From Travis:
Photos of native bees and honeybees on native and nonnative plants in Oregon


Hello,

The following is a link to a variety of photos of Oregon native bees and honeybees on Oregon native and nonnative plants (some bulbs, too), with some cynical commentary on the subject.

http://amateuranthecologist.com/2016/07/…

Surely I'll be preaching to the choir when I say that something must be done to help the pollinators. I feel it is necessary to reduce the problem to an economic issue, hence my reference to a Xerces Society study (Losey et al. 2006) estimating $57 billion in ecological services provided by insects annually (including pest reduction by predatory/parasitoid insects), since it is clear that economy is more important than environment in the minds of many. Conservation needs to become a profitable endeavor on a scale much larger than is currently possible.

Travis Owen
Rogue River, OR
http://www.amateuranthecologist.com/

http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/

[amateuranthecologist]

Hi, some new posts up:

A few on native plants: Madia elegans, Croton setigerus, and Trichostema lanceolatum

http://www.amateuranthecologist.com/2015/07/madia-elegans.html

http://www.amateuranthecologist.com/2016/08/croton-setigerus.html

http://www.amateuranthecologist.com/2015/08/trichostema-lanceolatum.html

And a few on some native wasps:

http://www.amateuranthecologist.com/2016/08/sceliphron-caementarium.html

http://www.amateuranthecologist.com/2016/07/mischocyttarus-flavitarsis.html

[Maggi Young]

From Travis :

" I'm  giving a presentation on anthecology (the study of the relationship between plants and pollinators) this Tuesday September 13th at 7pm for the Siskiyou chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society in Medford, OR. Anyone is welcome to attend as a guest. Read details here: http://siskiyousummits.weebly.com/

[amateuranthecologist]

Hello,

Since we're now in autumn, I put together a list of plants for bees and other pollinators that bloom in the fall. These include natives, noxious weeds, and garden plants. Follow the link:

http://www.amateuranthecologist.com/2016/09/late-season-bee-plants.html

[Maggi Young]

New blog from Travis on Colchicum  as a pollinator plant -

 http://www.amateuranthecologist.com/2016/10/colchicum.html

[amateuranthecologist]

http://www.amateuranthecologist.com/2016/11/bees-of-2016.html

Hi,

This year I have been fortunate enough to photograph at least 21 species of wild bees in my southwestern Oregon area. I have written a detailed article about bees and each species and how they are all related taxonomically. I have also included field notes and observations of my own.

Also please see the references at the bottom for a few other interesting reads, if you fancy bees as I do.

http://www.amateuranthecologist.com/2016/11/bees-of-2016.html

Thanks!

[Maggi Young]

New blog from Travis .....  http://www.amateuranthecologist.com/2017/07/lower-table-rock.html

[Maggi Young]

Parasitoid Wasps of Southern Oregon 2017  - http://www.amateuranthecologist.com/2018/02/parasitoid-wasps-of-southern-oregon.html

[Maggi Young]

Travis  has a new project in prospect - he is  crowdfunding towards that .....

Travis Dreams of Honey Bees

 "My Goals
I have a dream of becoming a self-supporting commercial beekeeper using honey bees alongside native mason bees and alfalfa leafcutter bees to improve crop yields for growers. By doing so I will be supporting our food system by providing efficient pollination services where they are needed, as well as being a responsible steward. I would like to do whatever is in my power to promote the health and well being of our honey bees and native bees through sustainable and ecologically mindful practices, and without using synthetic pesticide. I want to use the industry's best practices, science, and experimentation to brighten the future of the bees and the plants that rely on them.
Funding
I imagine other business startups may have similar sayings, but to make a small fortune keeping bees, one must start with a larger fortune. I, however, am starting with nothing but a small yet intense amount of experience and a gleam of hope. The money will be spent accordingly:

•Bees
•Hive equipment (i.e. boxes, lids, frames)
•Feed (sugar and pollen substitute)
•Treatments (i.e. miticides, as needed)
•Bee transportation (A flatbed truck)
•Electric bear fencing

Other costs such as vehicle maintenance and equipment storage fees were also accounted for the first year.

Business Plan
My funding goal was estimated for 300 purchased honey bee colonies. Pollination of crops, such as almonds or seed crops, is also a possibility. Other possible sources of income may include selling honey, nuclei, or possibly other hive products (i.e. wax, propolis). I am also interested in educating the public through backyard consultations, speaking events, or visits to schools with presentations. The beekeeping industry is dynamic and requires flexibility. I hope to create a business with a diverse toolkit able to flex with unpredictable changes in the industry, the climate, and the needs of my customers.

Bottom Line
Any way you could help will earn my gratitude. Of course, money is the most useful way to realize this dream of mine, and every dollar counts! If you would like to play a part in taking my dream out of my head and into my life, then please contribute. And even if you don't, share this with all your friends and family!

Thank you for reading!


I would love it if you took a moment to check out my GoFundMe campaign:

https://www.gofundme.com/travisdreamsofhoneybees&rcid=r01-153046102289-a72672744a4d4de3&pc=em_co_campmgmt_m

Your support would mean a lot to me. Thank you so much!

- Travis Owen"

[Maggi Young]

It's been too long since  I reminded  you folks about  Travis' blog - see  this latest  one  on the insect  visitors to  his flowers so far  this year....  https://www.amateuranthecologist.com/2021/03/floral-visitors-mmxxi.html?fbclid=IwAR0QWtH4H2WXhUah4WG80_Y_XOcsdrnvuENYSm9dE5CLtZehkxxKcRTIu44


Halictus exploiting Scilla mischtschenkoana

[Maggi Young]

Table Rock Revisited

https://www.amateuranthecologist.com/2021/04/table-rock-revisited.html?fbclid=IwAR0ak6U9H_UHZRPcAvj3EkB-7YYdNajkcmMattCmTJ29o9AUFpkp8GZw3bw

[fermi de Sousa]

That patch of Erythronium is amazing!
cheers
fermi