Very nice study. Do you think the green lines are now "pollen guides"? They converge on the active stamen. Very cool. Also, have you ever looked at the flowers under UV? Nectar guides often look different under UV.
Aug 22, 2023·edited Aug 22, 2023Liked by Bryan Pfeiffer
What a wonderful journey! As an artist who is enamored with orchids and all their alluring visual intricacies, I am thrilled to be taken into the complex cycles of these beautiful, indeed elegant, flowers.
I am totally astonished, actually---staring closely, marveling and exclaiming out loud. I mean, such complexities! These beauties are so magical, I truly understand your fascination with, and attraction to them.
Thanks for the close-ups, the science details and origins---I loved your story-telling way of introducing me to these sensuous, art-inspiring jewels & their bee.
Wonderful Brian, the study of nature is infinitely rewarding because the mysteries are so intricate, and also seemingly infinite! You've provided me with some inspiration for my morning, thanks! This is a very basic question, but if the bee feeds its young with pollen, but the flower is tricking the bee into sipping nectar from the staminodes and depositing the pollen on the bee's abdomen, how does the bee then provide the pollen to it's young. Does it suddenly discover that it mysteriously accumulated pollen on its belly? Did it consciously accumulate pollen on its belly? Or did it purposefully collect pollen from the anther, store it in its pollen pockets, then move on to the staminodes?
Mother Nature has a worthy ally in you, Bryan. I'm honored to be included. I pass by swaths of it on our "back road" every morning as I drive to work through August and early September, and it is a sentinel of beauty. Thanks for unraveling the mysteries. Glad to know more about it and have a friend in that affinity.
Bravo Bryan pour ces observations méticuleuses faites avec compétence et rigueur puis racontées avec un réel talent pour la vulgarisation et l'écriture ! Je vais partager tout ça avec un groupe de discussion basé en France qui se passionne pour de telles choses. / Michel Bertrand, Sainte-Julie, Qc
Wow! I love your writing which articulates your love for nature so well. That it is informative and often brings to light the less known, even obscure, members of nature makes it even better. Thank you!
Very nice study. Do you think the green lines are now "pollen guides"? They converge on the active stamen. Very cool. Also, have you ever looked at the flowers under UV? Nectar guides often look different under UV.
"A single flower is at the same time an investigation and a mantra during a meditation in nature."
And you are a scientist, a monk, a poet, and an artist in making this work for us. Thank you, Bryan!
What a wonderful journey! As an artist who is enamored with orchids and all their alluring visual intricacies, I am thrilled to be taken into the complex cycles of these beautiful, indeed elegant, flowers.
I am totally astonished, actually---staring closely, marveling and exclaiming out loud. I mean, such complexities! These beauties are so magical, I truly understand your fascination with, and attraction to them.
Thanks for the close-ups, the science details and origins---I loved your story-telling way of introducing me to these sensuous, art-inspiring jewels & their bee.
Fascinating. Thanks.
Excellent and interesting description of the process. One of my favorite plants also.
Wonderful Brian, the study of nature is infinitely rewarding because the mysteries are so intricate, and also seemingly infinite! You've provided me with some inspiration for my morning, thanks! This is a very basic question, but if the bee feeds its young with pollen, but the flower is tricking the bee into sipping nectar from the staminodes and depositing the pollen on the bee's abdomen, how does the bee then provide the pollen to it's young. Does it suddenly discover that it mysteriously accumulated pollen on its belly? Did it consciously accumulate pollen on its belly? Or did it purposefully collect pollen from the anther, store it in its pollen pockets, then move on to the staminodes?
Again, thank you. Your writing always makes my day. You make the truth of quiet questions and intimate observations rewarding.
Mother Nature has a worthy ally in you, Bryan. I'm honored to be included. I pass by swaths of it on our "back road" every morning as I drive to work through August and early September, and it is a sentinel of beauty. Thanks for unraveling the mysteries. Glad to know more about it and have a friend in that affinity.
Wow! Fascinating read! Thanks Bryan.
Thanks for another wonderful essay! What a interesting flower. Found some in Bennington while butterflying. Will keep looking for the bee.
Bravo Bryan pour ces observations méticuleuses faites avec compétence et rigueur puis racontées avec un réel talent pour la vulgarisation et l'écriture ! Je vais partager tout ça avec un groupe de discussion basé en France qui se passionne pour de telles choses. / Michel Bertrand, Sainte-Julie, Qc
I can senses a genuine love story between you & Fen Grass-of-Parnassus 🤍
Nature is magical. Thanks for sharing another interesting and educational essay!
How I appreciate your love affair with nature and your exquisite gift of sharing and educating. Thank you again and again Bryan!
Wow! I love your writing which articulates your love for nature so well. That it is informative and often brings to light the less known, even obscure, members of nature makes it even better. Thank you!