The Life of the Queen Bee

Let’s start at the very beginning, as the song goes! This is an example of a capped Queen cell. The conditions in the hive have become right for a swarm and when this happens the old queen lays eggs in to queen cups. These are larger than the normal cells in to which eggs are laid and have a vertical orientation, while the normal eggs are horizontal. Swarm cells will hang at the bottom of a frame within the hive. When an “emergency queen” is needed (otherwise known as a supersedure), then the cells are built out from the face of a frame. These queen cells may look like a super-sized peanut but they hold something inside much more precious than a nut!

Workers will “decide” that they want to swarm for a number of reasons. As the population of a hive increases it gets rather cramped and a new hive is often needed. For the hive to function a new queen will be needed to populate it. In order to maximize the survival of a new hive, often a number of queen cells will be constructed. When the newly hatched queens emerge they will fight to the death. The winner will then destroy any unhatched queen cells and the swarm will begin. The workers above are beginning the construction of a new queen cell.

A cutaway of a queen cell shows the alien being developing within! It is not difficult to see where some Hollywood movie makers get their inspiration from! There is not a huge amount of time between the laying of the queen egg and that queen itself starting her own enormous family. The egg will hatch three days after it is laid and the larva grows and molts after that. On the eighth day the queen cell will be capped and the pupa stage will begin. The virgin queen will emerge on around the sixteenth day and take flight three to four days later. She will start to lay eggs herself from around the twenty third day. Amazing!
One of the reasons that the queen cell is so much bigger than a normal egg cell is that the queen has an enormous abdomen. This is a biological necessity - she is destined to become an egg laying machine. Spot the blob of blue paint on her thorax - something that beekeepers do to quickly locate the queen among her minions. If one of her daughters leaves the tank in a swarm, then they can take tens of thousands of bees with them. This will involve about five kilos of honey taken along for the ride. The beekeeper will usually remove queen cells - as they obviously don’t want to lose all that honey - often to an empty hive of their own.

The virgin queen that survives will fly to what is known as a “drone congregation area”. She will mate with around a dozen drones and store the sperm in her spematheca. This is an organ designed to receive and store sperm until it is needed. It is more often than not the place where fertilization occurs as well

She has a small window of opportunity here, though! If she does not mate within a few days then she will become a “drone layer”. As she will have no fertilized eggs that will spell the end of the colony. In very rare cases, something called thelytoky has been known to happen. This is where worker bees will lay the eggs of a new queen themselves, thus saving the colony. This is restricted to a few species, such as the Cape bee.

Do bees make a noise other than buzzing? Yes - and it is known as piping. This is produced by virgin and mated queens at certain times. The virgin pipes as she comes out of her cell. Once she has mated she may do it for some time afterwards as well. If you imagine a child’s trumpet, then you have a fair approximation of piping and it is audible to the human ear outside a hive! People argue as to its reason but most see it as a kind of battle cry. It is created by the flight motor (the wings, however, do not move when piping occurs). Others believe that it is a rallying call to workers and the best piper will get the most drones to follow them.

Many people believe that when bees swarm they are at their most dangerous. In fact, the opposite is true in reality. A swarm of bees is actually a fairly docile affair because, after all, they have no hive to protect at the moment, so what would the point be in stinging people. That said, it is best to be careful - especially if you are wearing primary colors - and stay clear. Nature is best left alone in these circumstances!

This can also be done artificially. As you can see, however, it is a process that involves great care and a deal of equipment. However, just as in the artificial insemination of mammals, this will ensure that the next generation the queen reproduces is exactly the one that the beekeeper desires. This will help eradicate pests such as mites (see below) and ensure some good honey in the process!

A common mistake amongst non apiarists is the assumed fact that the queen directly controls the hive. Effectively, however, her duty is as an egg making machine. She can lay about two thousand eggs a day in the spring. This amounts to more than her own weight in eggs each day. Surrounded continuously by workers, she needs for nothing. They give her food and take her waste away. They will also collect a pheromone which they then distribute to stop workers from starting queen cells.

This very close up of a queen bee shows one of its greatest - and smallest - enemies. The bee mite is an external parasite that attacks honey bees. It attaches itself to the bee’s body and sucks out its hemolymph. This is the blood analogue that is used by bees as they have an open circulatory system. Unfortunately the mite is more than just a pain in the neck. It can spread a host of viruses, including “Deformed Wing Virus” (does what it says on the packet) and the arrival of mites in a colony can often spell its demise. Scientists believe that the mite may contribute to the Colony Collapse Disorder (otherwise known as CCD) that is spreading throughout the United States.

Incredible world from the bottom of the sea

A giant manta ray, known to have the biggest brains of all fish, spotted off the south coast of Mozambique. In the background lurks a shark

Unfortunately, they also found found evidence of the changes wrought by mankind - warming seas destroying unique ecosystems and overfishing decimating entire species.
But there were also signs of hope: coral that harbour a special heat-resistant algae that could also protect the other reefs of the world, and marine creatures with amazing abilities to adapt to their changing world.

None of the dive team had ever seen a weedy sea dragon, found only in kelp forests. But Philippe Cousteau and Tooni Mahto struck lucky at Fortescue Bay, on the east coast of Tasmania

They saw rare and endangered creatures and dived in alien marine environments: pitch-black waters turned purple by toxic bacteria, and eerie tannin-stained waters housing bizarre creatures.
They even dived into a throng of sharks to test out a new repellent - and were relieved to find it worked.

Huge sunfish are indigenous to the Sea of Cortez, a strip between the Baja California peninsula and mainland Mexico, 60-130 miles wide and 995 miles long. These giants can grow up to six metres long

It is no surprise, then, that a new species was discovered by the team during almost every deepsea dive.
But there was more to find, including underwater caves that preserved the remains of lost civilisations and wrecks that spoke of ancient battles.

Sea coral grows in abundance on the sheer, underwater cliffs of the reef at the island of Pemba, 50 miles off the coast of East Africa and one of the three islands off Tanzania, along with Zanzibar and Mafia island

The mid-ocean ridge, a chain of mountains that runs through all the great seas, is 37,300 miles long, with an average height of 3,000 metres.
Together, the oceans make up an unimaginably vast environment wrapped around more than 70 per cent of the surface of the planet.

Despite the size of male sperm whales - which can reach up to 16 metres in length - sightings are rare. But when you see one, it’s worth the wait

Four-fifths of all life on Earth is found beneath the waves, and scientists estimate a million new species are out there waiting to be discovered. Below the surface of the oceans there are mountains that would dwarf the Himalayas, waterfalls bigger than Niagara and more active volcanoes than anywhere else on the planet.

Paul Rose explores the wreck of the Paraportiani, a cargo ship that sank off the coast of East Africa in 1967

Most Stunning Animal Eyes

Have you ever been mesmerized by eyes before? Well prepare for more because here is a list of creatures that perhaps has the most amazing eyes in the whole animal kingdom. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

Owls
Did you know owls’ eyes are fixed in their sockets? Which means their eye movements within their sockets are very limited - so instead they turn their entire head to see in different directions. They have forward-facing eyes which gives them well-developed binocular vision.

Not only do they own pairs of incredible eyes, they also can manage funky facial expressions… O rly? Ya rly.
The next up are the…
Cuttlefish
Well okay these pairs of eyes are quite different…
What? Where’s the eye? Look closely, yep that’s right. That squiggly “W” shaped line is it! Despite its utter strangeness, their eyes is one of the most developed in the animal kingdom as we know it. (Did I mention they have green blood?).

Cats
A cat’s eyes color can vary vastly! By the way do you know the nose pad of a cat has a unique pattern just like a human’s fingerprint?

Husky
Most people who has seen a husky before should recognize their very special eyes. Common traits of huskies are that they are very gentle, friendly and intelligent - although it does take time to train them well.

Frogs and Toads
Okay, so they’re different species so its actually it’s a tie, but take a look at their eyes! They are known to have irises that come in many colors - green, brown, red, bronze, silver and gold! They also have been seen to have different shapes as well. Including round pupils, horizontal-shaped pupils (that are more for day vision), vertical pupils (that looks like a line, which are great for night vision) , heart shape pupils (aww), triangular pupils and even star-shaped ones! Check them out!

Incredible Beaches

Spectacular Rock Formations Around the World

Many of us immediately recall memories of mountains and hillside when we look back upon family vacations and scenic landscape. We sometimes forget, however, the incredible impact that nature has had on the planet over time. The natural erosion of the earth, caused by winds and harsh weathers, has resulted in the creation of some of the most incredible rock formations on the globe.

The next time you plan a vacation, include one or two of these breathtaking destinations on your list of things to see. These spectacular rock formations will leave you ready to hunt for more.

Delicate Arch - Utah

Delicate Arch can be found in Arches National Park in the Utah in the United States. The arch stands alone at a height of 52 feet and is considered one of Utah’s most important landmarks. In 2002, the Olympic torch passed through this arch to mark the beginning of the winter games.

Karlu Karlu - Australia

Also known as the Devil’s Marbles, Karlu Karlu consists of a series of rounded boulders that can be found in Wauchope, Australia. Wauchope is still the home to several Aborigine tribes, who consider the site of the rock formations to be an important religious site. The myth is that the boulders are the eggs left behind by the rainbow serpent.

The Pinnacles - Australia

In Namburg National Park, found in Western Australia, you’ll come across The Pinnacles. These incredible peaks are the result of limestone formations that have evolved over thousands of years. Seashells eventually broke down into sands rich with limestone and eventually found their way into the mainland where, after being rained upon and packed into the ground, they formed the dunes we see today.

The Wave - Arizona

If you’re willing to embark on a moderate hike you’ll be astounded by The Wave formation in Coyote Buttes, Arizona. The heat in Arizona dictates an early morning hike, but you’ll have to plan in advance. Only 20 permits allowing access to the area are issued each day. Ten of those can be reserved in advance and the other 10 are issued via a lottery system daily.

Brimham Rock - England

Brimham Rock is an astounding rock formation found just inside of Brimham Moor in North Yorkshire. The formation stands over 300 meters high and is a very popular tourist attraction. Brimham Rock itself stands amongst a number of other odd rock formations, all of which are part of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The rocks, which are spread out over 50 acres, take on a number of incredible shapes, including some that resemble animals, plant life, and a few that hint at the existence of the druids.

James Bond Island - Thailand

James Bond Island can be found in Ao Phang-Nga National Park in Thailand. The needle-shaped limestone formation was nicknamed James Bond Island because it was featured in a Bond flick back in the mid-1970’s. Visits to the island are conducted by guided tour, but you’d better bring your own informational guidebook as the signs explaining the creation of the island aren’t written in any form of legible English.

Devil’s Tower - Wyoming

The formation known as Devil’s Tower can be found in Wyoming. Also known as Bear Tower, the formation is actually the neck of a volcano, standing over 1,200 feet above the surface. Believe it or not, at one point it was not possible to see Devil’s Tower, but years of erosion slowly revealed the monstrosity, which is now considered a national monument.

Perce Rock - Canada

Perce Rock, in Canada, is considered to be amongst the largest natural arch formed from rock in the world. Perce Rock, which translates to “pierced rock,” is located in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It stands over 1,400 feet long and almost 300 feet high.

Goreme Valley Fairy Chimneys - Turkey

The Goreme Valley Fairy Chimneys can be found in Cappadocia, Turkey. They are the result of volcanic erupti

ons that occurred thousands of years previous to today. The tops are made of a hard rock, while the actual pillars were formed from a softer rock. It is said that small houses have been carved into the pillars, which remain an incredibly popular tourist attraction to this day.

The Giant’s Causeway - Northern Ireland

The Giant’s Causeway is located in Northern Island and is comprised of a series of over 40,000 columns made of basalt. Each column is connected and the formation is believed to be a result of volcanic ash. Believe it or not, when this formation was first discovered, scientists argued as to how it was formed. Some thought it was natural, others thought it was manmade - and the mythical though that perhaps it had been created by a giant!

Each of these incredible formations is a sight to behold. No matter when you visit, or which one you choose to see, you’re guaranteed the experience of a lifetime. Enjoy!

Mother Earth’s Jungles

There is great beauty in the jungles of Mother Earth.

Mother Earth has some very beautiful and interesting jungles. So I decided that I would like to share with you the readers some awesome pictures and video of her many jungles.

This amazing shot is from the ground looking up through the Bamboo trees in the Hawaii Maui Bamboo Jungle. The foliage on the trees nearly blots out the sky above the jungle. The trees grow very tall, as they have to compete for sunlight.

This next picture is very cool. It is a jungle waterfall in Belize.

They also give jungle tours in the Belize Jungle and I thought it would be cool to share with you the readers some video on this. Hope you enjoy the video.

There are some very big crocodiles here and throughout the Nile River. They can grow to over 200 kg. Take a long hard look at this one and you are the judge.

This is an awesome picture of one! If you are thinking about swimming in these waters, you may want to reconsider. Look at the video below and think safety.

Mother Nature is sure beautiful.

The Rain Forest watershed is home to many beautiful creatures such as in the picture below. What will happen to these animals big and small? The Brazil Rainforest if destroyed it will definitely have an effect on the people, wildlife and the world.

The video below gives some kind of idea as to how many kinds of plants and wildlife there is in the rainforest.

The jungle of Costa Rica is also very beautiful and you may find dwellings such as this one below scattered in places throughout it.

There is lots of beautiful jungles in Southern I

ndia as well so let me show you the reader some of what I have came up with while researching the jungles in this area too.

I also love the Royal Bengal Tiger, as it is another very awesome creature in the big cat family that deserves a mention as well.

Never underestimate the tiger, as they are very unpredictable, as you will see in the video below.

8 Hidden Paradise in the Desert Revealed

Ubari Lakes are part of Erg Awbari Oasis in the Sahara. Located near Fezzan and 30kms north of Germa in Libya, these salt water lakes are a central trading point for many locals, who gather at the edges of the lake selling souvenirs and other goods
Umm Al-Maa, meaning Mother of Water, is one of the largest lakes in the oasis but unfortunately, like all the lakes, the water table in the area is so low that the lakes are drying up.
As well as the waters being extremely dirty, the saline levels are now similar to the Dead Sea (which is great news if you like floating in crud). The abandoned city of Gebraoun is also relatively nearby with its impressive ruins, the settlement is testament to the life-sustaining qualities that the lakes once had.

Crescent Lake in China’s Gobi Desert sits on the edge of an ancient city that once saw traders embark on their journey along the Silk Road to the West. Today it is drying up and has dropped more than 25 feet in the last 30 years, in part due to water being redirected for local farmers and a doubling of population, resulting in the slow disappearance of a lake that has existed for thousands of years.

This castle is part of an oasis on the western shore of the Persian Gulf in Saudi Arabia, called Qatif. The city dates back to 3,500 BC.
It was believed to be the Garden of Eden, a piece of Heaven on Earth, and was for many years the main town and port in the western Gulf, which meant it was a popular spot for invasion and take over by ruling powers through the ages. This resulted in an eclectic mix of architecture and the area now boasts some of the best archeological sites in the kingdom.
The Island has no hotels, nor hostals. the government aim to develop its historical castle in the old town of Tarut by turn it to complex will include public garden, well our people hope plans go well.

Huacachina

Huacachina is a small oasis town in the Ica region of southwest Peru. This oasis, named ‘Oasis of Americas’, is a popular resort with local families and tourists. A legend says the lagoon was created when an inquisitive young hunter disturbed a beautiful princess bathing. She fled, leaving the pool of water behind which became the lagoon.

MYSTICAL COLOURS OF NATURE

Oldest Oil Paintings Found in Caves