Thursday, July 5, 2012

glorious blooms and bee guides











Many species of  flowers display patterns or "guides" on their petals to direct pollinators to the nectar or pollen they possess.  Sometimes these patterns are visible to humans, sometimes not.  In some flowers, these patterns are visible to humans only under ultraviolet light.  This is the case of many of the "sunflower" type flowers.
(Note that "bee guides" have also been called "pollen guides" or "honey guides.")
Besides the guide lines on flower petals, pollinators are also attracted by flower shape, size, scent, and color.

Next time you're looking at flowers, think of the patterns as landing strips!

LINKS:
Plant Pollination Strategies US Forest Service (an interesting site to peruse--lots of facts on "Celebrating Wildflowers.")
Flower Adaptations for Pollination, a teacher resource guide by Diane Wang

I'm linking up with my favorite teacher, Ms Jenny Matlock, as we work our way through the alphabet.  Please do go visit the other students, for you never know what gems you may find--humor, poignancy, information, visions of far away places, stuff you've never even dreamed of!  Check it out HERE.  You may even wish to join in yourself!  This week our letter is "G."

photos by me © 2009 and 2010

19 comments:

  1. I know they are necessary but I don't looking at bees. And then I see those gorgeous flowers...I guess bees are okay;)

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  2. Very interesting! What beautiful flowers - and it looks like the bees, wasps, and moths like them, too =)

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  3. great information like always, and beautiful photographs. I'm featuring your blog, along with some other of my favorite AlphabeThursday students this Saturday!

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  4. Wonderful and exquisite series. Today my favorites are all whether exception.

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  5. Oh they are so beautiful, just what I needed to take my mind off the cloudy rainy day that I am looking out at

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  6. stunning shots! (i need more practice!)

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  7. Your photos are just stunning, Margaret. Do you sell them?

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  8. Gorgeous job as always, Margaret! I love the vivid colors and the level of detail. Your bug captures are great.

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  9. Pollinators are so fascinating! I love these photos, you have some really great shots here. So much detail!

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  10. You take the most beautiful flower photos ever!

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  11. those are beautiful..love the last on in particular!

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  12. Margaret, thanks for the very supportive comment on my post! An agent showed the house today, and the family is very interested. The listing went up on Thursday! Rod doesn't like the look of our HOME right now, because we had to de-personalize it--no more family pictures! He says it looks way too clean!!! xoxo

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  13. Hello.
    Flowers always bring me a sense of comfort and joy. I love these...some of my favorite colors too like yellow, orange and purple. Nice photos! Thanks for sharing and visiting.

    Goddess Of Fantasy

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  14. I had noticed the lines on flower petals before but had no idea of their purpose, fascinating information. Love your last shot of the lovely little Skipper.

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  15. Beautiful flowers. I am fascinated with bees and don't mind them a bit except when they sting my kids. Hubby was just telling us this evening how they protect their hive from wasps by surrounding them and overheating them.

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  16. Your flowers are beautiful. Loved every shot. Your pictures also solved a puzzle for me. My hybuscus had been full of greenish bugs that I could not identify and I found them in your photo. Now I can go get rid of the them.

    Thanks for the help and thanks for your visits to my humble blog.

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  17. I've never thought of that before, but it gives me new insight into the geometry of blossoms!

    Your captures are always so gorgeous. You are the master of the macro, I think!

    Thanks for linking!

    Admiration and an A+++++

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Your comments make my day! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!