Here in central Oklahoma, we have had less than 0.1 inch of rain in 6 weeks. We have also had baking heat of 100º for a couple weeks. We would like to think this flash drought and heat wave are unusual, but climate trends are showing us otherwise. Therefore, I am watering my front yard … More You water your native meadow?!?
Teaching a three credit field course in two weeks is an exhausting challenge, but I am so glad we were together again at the OU Biological Station again! After two years of trying to teach a field class over Zoom, it was refreshing to see students faces, chat with them over meals, and get our … More In-person again!
A few years ago, I decided that I was just going to jump in and start improving the biodiversity of the boring mowed spaces in our human habitats. I regularly limit myself by claiming that “I am not an expert” or “I don’t know enough” to tackle a project. However, as I get older (maybe … More Pollinator Meadows!
A couple weeks ago, I started seeing these bees curling up their abdomens and showing off the pollen collected on their fuzzy undersides. The picture doesn’t show it well, but the curling up of the abdomen is really conspicuous. Along with this curling up, I also observed, what appeared to be, aggressive behavior to others … More Bottoms Up!
Happy World Bee Day! Until a few years ago, I was unenlightened about bees, especially native bees. Like most people, I thought most bees were like European honey bees (Apis mellifera) – lived in hives, made tasty honey, died when they stung you, do a waggle dance to tell their friends where the good flowers … More Learning the bees
Priscilla H. C. Crawford 