For the second time today, I received an e-mail entitled “Fill ‘er up”, which is full of cartoons about the high price of fuel. One cartoon showed a gas pump with the prices displayed in large letters: Regular costs an arm, Plus costs a leg, and Premium costs a First-born.
Of course it’s no joking matter for those who use their car to commute to work. But the e-mails got me to thinking. Many of us are becoming more conscious of our driving habits; I know I am. I try to combine my errands, so that one trip will accomplish several things at once. And given a choice, I’ll shop at a place where I can pick up milk AND my prescription AND stamps AND meet a friend for coffee.
But what about the creatures that live in our natural world, like the bees and hummingbirds that commute from their homes to gather nectar. After all, they are expending metabolic energy as they fly. Are they “energy-conscious” in their flying habits? Now I wouldn’t go as far saying bees and hummingbirds are “conscious” but I have observed that nature tends to be “thrifty”.
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It turns out that flowers have evolved in certain ways to make themselves more attractive to “energy-conscious” pollinators. For example, Elegant Clarkia is a tall plant, 1-6 feet high and its large orange-red, pink and purple blossoms are designed to attract hummingbirds. Another key selling point is the plant’s shape, an elongated flower cluster of evenly-spaced blossoms facing outwards from a central stalk, which provides hummingbirds with more food per trip.
Another variation on the cluster design can be seen in the Golden Yarrow, whose round cluster of yellow blossoms provide a resting platform for bees and butterflies while they gather nectar and pollen. Again, the idea is to provide more food per trip.
In each example, we can also see the mutually beneficial relationship that exists between the pollinators (hummingbird, bee or butterfly) and the flowers. For during their travels, pollen is transferred from one plant to another. This leads to the production of seeds, a renewable resource if there ever was one.
Golden Yarrow provides a landing platform for bees and butterflies while also providing food.
The natural world has a great deal to teach us, if we choose to pay attention. Flowers quietly demonstrate that life can be relational, productive, thrifty and beautiful, all at the same time.
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Upcoming Outdoor Events:
Saturday, May 17, 8:00-10:00 am. Towsley Canyon. Early Morning Bird Hike
It’s that magical time of year and birds are part of the magic. Join us on an easy hike to see which birds make Towsley Canyon home and those fabulous travelers that are flying through town. Beginners are welcome. Bring your binoculars and meet at the entrance to the park.
Sponsored by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.
Saturday, May 24, and every Wednesday, 8:00 am. Trail Maintenance Volunteers at Towsley Canyon.
Come join our trail maintenance volunteers for camaraderie and a heart-thumping workout. For more information call Steve Ioerger at 661-291-1565 or
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.
Sponsored by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.
You can listen to stories like this every Friday morning at 7:10 a.m. on "The Hike Report", brought to you by your hometown radio station KHTS (AM1220) and by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.
For the complete MRCA hike and activity schedule and for trail maps, go to www.LAMountains.com.
