the myth of the flightless bumblebee

I have been contemplating all the little creatures , especially the insects that the warm weather brings to my garden, meadows and forest. They are so strong, magnificently designed and yet so delicate and vulnerable. My kitties have unfortunately collected a few slower flying beauties as trophies in the past week, a cicada and a dragonfly. I don't know how the kitties manage to catch them and not harm their wings in any way. 

On my walk in the meadow I was reminded of the story that had been published long ago that the bumblebee, taking into account all the known laws of physics and aerodynamics, should be incapable of flight but this was later proven to be incorrect by scientists ( even though the bumblebee obviously had long ago proven it to be incorrect) when they actually discovered just how fast the little wings are beating to keep it afloat. 

Interesting to know the buzzing sound , unlike the cicada, is made not by the wings of the bee but the tiny little hard working muscles that the wings are attached to. I was reading, and I will not try to prove this, that a bee will still buzz even if it is wingless!!

Why you might wonder am I bothering to tell you all this. Well yesterday, on a short lunch time walk behind my office I found the largest bumblebee I had ever seen. It was about 4 cm long and didn't seem able to fly. It was climbing the flowering weeds and "hopping" from stem to stem. A few times it used the "free fall" method to change location.

I made a short video since to show my daughter and I am downloading it to flickr as I write this. I was thinking of talking during this video but instead I let the soft sounds of the meadow do the talking for me. At one point when the bee attempts a short flight you will hear those little muscles buzzing. See if you can catch that bit.

Have a wonderful Wednesday. I am putting up the next poetry stone for autism up for auction tomorrow and you will have the entire weekend to place your bid. 

Comments

[Rane]

I am sorry for the buggies who
died for this post but as you said they look like they are
just setting there not harmed
at all! My parents raised bees
for the longest time and I have
never seen a bee that big! She
is very faithful to keep working!
I know that they can get too
full to fly... but this bee was
large! Maybe she had Giant syndrom
for bees? hehe~

BTW...love your little spider
friends very colorful home, very fancy indeed!!

Loads of love and take care,
Rane
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Stéphanie]

Your blog is beautiful !

[Sonia]

Thanks Margie for teaching me that it's not the wings that makes the buzzing sounds of the bees & bumblebees, I didn't know about that. (ignorant me)
I enjoyed each & one of your photos. As always I must add.
Much love to you today.
PS : I would have loved to hear your voice, but the sound of the meadow was great as well ! Maybe one day, under the porch ?! xoxo

[De'Anna]

Beeeautiful pictures Margie. I love coming here :)

[Jen]

What beautiful pix, Margie! Bumbles are one of my favorite creatures and I've worked very hard to teach all the neighborhood kids that they needn't fear them (too often, their fear equals 'killing with a big stick').

Considering the time of year, your great big bumble was probably a male. They lose their wings after a mating flight, and soon die... it sounds horrid, but he's played his genetic role in bumble history, and Mother Nature is ready to recycle him...

Thanks for the great joy your blog gives me every day - I take a few minutes to spend with you no matter what, and appreciate it more than words can describe!

[jennifer m]

such a tender and delicate story..i'm so happy to have found your beautiful blog.
albert einstein knew the practical importance of the bees...he said that if they were to all go away, we would not last more than a few years.
(all of our vegetation would die too)

we all need to help save them since they're in danger:
http://www.helpthehoneybees.com/

looks like you're doing your part already..spreading the love!
xox