Celebrate American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® in Shenandoah National Park on Saturday, June 3, 2017. In partnership with Shenandoah National Park, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) invites new hikers and experienced backpackers to learn new trail skills at PATC Trail Patrol’s “Beyond the Trailhead” event at Byrd Visitor Center (milepost 51 on Skyline Drive) from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Come join guided hikes and hands-on demonstrations throughout the day.
With over 500 miles of trails, Shenandoah is a paradise for hikers. There are trails for every goal, from a stroll on the Limberlost Trail to an excursion on the Appalachian Trail. Enjoy the rewards and challenges of hiking to mountain summits and cascading waterfalls, while reconnecting with family, friends and yourself.
The National Trails Day® event is designed to give novice hikers the information they need to leave their cars behind and venture beyond the trailhead to enjoy Shenandoah National Park’s numerous hiking trails. Experienced hikers can discuss new ideas with PATC members at displays on Leave No Trace outdoor ethics and wilderness first aid techniques. Everyone can participate in a hands-on demonstration of the traditional tools used to maintain trails in wilderness, such as crosscut saws, provided by the Shenandoah National Park trail crew throughout the day.
A variety of hikes guided by experienced Trail Patrol members will be offered for people of all ages and experience levels: hikes suitable for families with children as well as easy, moderate, and advanced hikes for adults. Hikers will need to meet at the registration table at Byrd Visitor Center 15 minutes before the hike time to sign in. Hikers should wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the season, bring food and plenty of water for all hikes and a trail lunch for the advanced hikes.
The following hikes will meet at Byrd Visitor Center. Vehicle shuttles may be involved.
Hike / Difficulty / Distance / Start Time
Story of the Forest Trail / Easy / 1.8 miles / 10:00 a.m.
Appalachian Trail Ramble / Easy / 2.0 miles / 10:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Dark Hollow Falls / Moderate / 1.4 miles / 9:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Rose River-Dark Hollow Falls / Advanced / 4.0 miles / 10:00 a.m.
Rapidan Camp National Historic Landmark / Advanced / 4.0 miles / 9:45 a.m.
Pre-registration is encouraged but you may also register on June 3rd at Byrd Visitor Center. To pre-register, send an email to TPNTD@patc.net by May 31st. Please include your name and which hike you wish to join.
PATC and Trail Patrol are charging no fees to attend or participate in any hike, workshop, or demonstration connected with the event; however, there is a $25-per-car entrance fee to the park (good for seven days). Byrd Visitor Center lies within the park at milepost 51 on Skyline Drive. For more information about the event, visit the PATC website at www.patc.net or contact Trail Patrol at TPNTD@patc.net. For more information on the park, visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/shen. To see a list of scheduled ranger programs, please visit http://ift.tt/1L6DMmh.
“Beyond the Trailhead” celebrates the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day®, a nationally recognized trail awareness program that occurs annually on the first Saturday of June. Since 1993, National Trails Day® has inspired thousands of individuals and community groups to take part in activities that promote healthy living and mental well-being, protect green space, educate youth and adults on the importance of trails, and instill excitement for the outdoors. National Trails Day® encourages all Americans to get outside, connect with local outdoor clubs, businesses, community groups, and parks and recreation departments as well as federal land managing agencies to experience, appreciate and celebrate natural places.
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club is the volunteer trails maintenance group headquartered in Vienna, Virginia that maintains 240 miles of mid-Atlantic Appalachian Trail and 730 miles of other trails in Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland, southern Pennsylvania, and eastern West Virginia. PATC volunteers build and maintain trailside hiker shelters and rustic rental cabins, and publish detailed trails maps, hiking guidebooks, and books detailing the history of the Appalachian region. For more information about PATC and the Trail Patrol, visit the club’s website as www.patc.net.
Trail Patrol is the education and outreach arm of the PATC. Trail Patrol members hike area trails to offer information and assistance to hikers and backpackers. Trail Patrol volunteers report trail conditions to PATC trail maintainers and offer public classes in beginning backpacking, hike leadership training, Leave No Trace Trainer, first aid with CPR and wilderness first aid.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Smokies Reminds Visitors to be Bear Aware
As the busy summer season approaches, Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials want to remind visitors about precautions they can take while enjoying the park to keep themselves and bears safe. Bears are particularly active this time of year in search for spring foods. Visitors should be prepared in how to safely observe bears without disturbing them during this critical season.
“Bears are very active right now, and we’re receiving reports across the park of bear sightings along trails and roadways,” said Park Wildlife Biologist Bill Stiver. “We ask for the public’s help by respecting bears’ space.”
Bears should be allowed to forage undisturbed on natural foods and should never be fed. Park officials remind visitors to properly store food and secure garbage. Coolers should always be properly stored in the trunk of a vehicle when not in use. All food waste should be properly disposed to discourage bears from approaching people.
Hikers are reminded to take necessary precautions while in bear country including hiking in groups of 2 or more, carrying bear spray, complying with all backcountry closures, properly storing food regulations, and remaining at safe viewing distance from bears at all times. Feeding, touching, disturbing, or willfully approaching wildlife within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces wildlife, is illegal in the park.
If approached by a bear, park officials recommend slowly backing away to put distance between yourself and the animal, creating space for it to pass. If the bear continues to approach, you should not run. Hikers should make themselves look large, stand their ground as a group, and throw rocks or sticks at the bear. If attacked by a black bear, rangers strongly recommend fighting back with any object available and remember that the bear may view you as prey. Though rare, attacks on humans do occur, causing injuries or death.
For more information on what to do if you encounter a bear while hiking, please visit the park website at http://ift.tt/19VLCNS. To report a bear incident in the park, please call 865-436-1230.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
“Bears are very active right now, and we’re receiving reports across the park of bear sightings along trails and roadways,” said Park Wildlife Biologist Bill Stiver. “We ask for the public’s help by respecting bears’ space.”
Bears should be allowed to forage undisturbed on natural foods and should never be fed. Park officials remind visitors to properly store food and secure garbage. Coolers should always be properly stored in the trunk of a vehicle when not in use. All food waste should be properly disposed to discourage bears from approaching people.
Hikers are reminded to take necessary precautions while in bear country including hiking in groups of 2 or more, carrying bear spray, complying with all backcountry closures, properly storing food regulations, and remaining at safe viewing distance from bears at all times. Feeding, touching, disturbing, or willfully approaching wildlife within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces wildlife, is illegal in the park.
If approached by a bear, park officials recommend slowly backing away to put distance between yourself and the animal, creating space for it to pass. If the bear continues to approach, you should not run. Hikers should make themselves look large, stand their ground as a group, and throw rocks or sticks at the bear. If attacked by a black bear, rangers strongly recommend fighting back with any object available and remember that the bear may view you as prey. Though rare, attacks on humans do occur, causing injuries or death.
For more information on what to do if you encounter a bear while hiking, please visit the park website at http://ift.tt/19VLCNS. To report a bear incident in the park, please call 865-436-1230.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
June Hike of the Month: Spence Field / Rocky Top
It's almost June, which means that mountain laurel will soon be blooming at the top of Spence Field.
The hike to Spence Field out of Cades Cove is probably one of the most underrated hikes in the Smokies, in my opinion. I would go so far as to say that the combination of Spence Field and Rocky Top ranks as number 3 on my list of the Top 10 Hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
In addition to the outstanding views from Rocky Top anytime of the year, the mountain laurel at Spence Field makes this an exceptional hike. The best time to tackle the 5.1-mile trek to Spence is usually right around mid-June when the grassy bald area is exploding with mountain laurel at or near peak bloom.
Although Spence Field provides for some outstanding views of the North Carolina side of the Smokies, you should definitely hike another 1.2 miles to Rocky Top for an even better vantage point - possibly the best in the park.
Here's a preview of some of the sights you'll see at the top:
For more information on Spence Field, please click here, and for more information on the hike to Rocky Top, please click here.
If planning to make the pilgrimage to Spence Field or Rocky Top this season, you ought to make Townsend your headquarters. If you've never had the pleasure of staying in the Townsend area, known as the “Quiet Side of the Smokies”, you may want to note that it's much easier getting in and out of the park, and is fairly close to Cades Cove. If you need a rental cabin during your visit, be sure to visit our Townsend Accommodations page.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
The hike to Spence Field out of Cades Cove is probably one of the most underrated hikes in the Smokies, in my opinion. I would go so far as to say that the combination of Spence Field and Rocky Top ranks as number 3 on my list of the Top 10 Hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
In addition to the outstanding views from Rocky Top anytime of the year, the mountain laurel at Spence Field makes this an exceptional hike. The best time to tackle the 5.1-mile trek to Spence is usually right around mid-June when the grassy bald area is exploding with mountain laurel at or near peak bloom.
Although Spence Field provides for some outstanding views of the North Carolina side of the Smokies, you should definitely hike another 1.2 miles to Rocky Top for an even better vantage point - possibly the best in the park.
Here's a preview of some of the sights you'll see at the top:
For more information on Spence Field, please click here, and for more information on the hike to Rocky Top, please click here.
If planning to make the pilgrimage to Spence Field or Rocky Top this season, you ought to make Townsend your headquarters. If you've never had the pleasure of staying in the Townsend area, known as the “Quiet Side of the Smokies”, you may want to note that it's much easier getting in and out of the park, and is fairly close to Cades Cove. If you need a rental cabin during your visit, be sure to visit our Townsend Accommodations page.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Bricolage : Des abeilles dans ma fenêtre ! ( 3 de 3 )
Salut à tous,
Je vous racontais donc que mon récent essaimage d'abeilles avait pris une bonne heure a entrer tranquillement dans leur nouvelle ruche... leur habitat pour les mois a venir !
Comme elles sont arrivées gavées de miel, elles pouvaient se nourrir quelques heures, le temps que les butineuses se mettent à nouveau à la tâche pour remplir graduellement leur garde-manger.
Pour suppléer à cet épuisement rapide de nourriture, je leurs prépare donc un sirop de sucre, plutôt clair, que je verse dans un cadre spécialement adapté à cet effet... et la vie recommence dans la ruche...
Sorties continuelles des butineuses dès les premières chaleurs du matin jusqu'à la ''brûnante'' de fin de journée... Un ballet de haut voltige dont je ne me lasserai pas à observer de ma fenêtre durant ces sept merveilleuses années de la vie de la ruche !
Ma première ouverture de la ruche se fit au bout de cinq jours seulement car il fallait ne pas perturber ce jeune essaim, lui laisser le temps de s'acclimater, de bien s'occuper de leur nouvelle reine en toute tranquillité. Quelle sensation, mêlée d'un peu de crainte et d'émerveillement tout à la fois, de pouvoir assister au spectacle qui s'offre à mes yeux... ces milliers d'abeilles au travail sur plusieurs cadres déjà, quelques centaines qui tournent autour de moi, curieuses de vérifier si je suis un intrus ou un ami. Et ce murmure, ce bourdonnement incroyable qui vous enveloppe littéralement, qui vous transporte presque dans un monde irréel... Je referme la ruche, tout s'apaise... Je suis heureux de cette première rencontre avec mes amies, les abeilles !
Et les années passent, variables tant qu'à la santé de la ruche que de la production irrégulière du miel, près de 70 kilos dès l'année suivante... mes voisins en profitent ! Puis, perte complète des essaims à deux reprises et, ô miracle, deux autres essaimages. Des hauts et des bas imprévisibles mais qu'à cela ne tienne, j'avais toujours ce grand plaisir et ce privilège de les voir évoluer sous mes yeux... toujours fasciné par leurs va et vient interminables.
Dans la photo ci-haut, un petit assemblage très simple permettant de coller efficacement sur un cadre la plaque de cire alvéolée. Une faible résistance produite par la mise en série d`une petite plaque chauffante ou d`un grille-pains avec le fils métalliques d`un cadre crée une douce chaleur permettant à la cire de fondre légèrement et d`adhérer ainsi aux fils de fer, et tenir fermement par la suite après refroidissement.
Dans la photo ci-haut, un petit assemblage très simple permettant de coller efficacement sur un cadre la plaque de cire alvéolée. Une faible résistance produite par la mise en série d`une petite plaque chauffante ou d`un grille-pains avec le fils métalliques d`un cadre crée une douce chaleur permettant à la cire de fondre légèrement et d`adhérer ainsi aux fils de fer, et tenir fermement par la suite après refroidissement.
Des maladies déciment de plus en plus les ruches de par le monde. Depuis dix ans, les apiculteurs ont connu des pertes de 50 à 90 %, selon les endroits de la planète ! Le varroa, un parasite, et qui a été mon problème personnel, la loque européenne et un puceron venu d'Afrique s'attaquent aux larves. Le syndrome d'effondrement des colonies est un phénomène encore inexpliqué - les abeilles partent butiner et ne reviennent jamais dans la ruche et l'on ne trouve aucun cadavre ? Et il peut y avoir perte d'une colonie en une seule nuit !
Les OGM, les produits toxiques, les pesticides, la pollution sont certainement des réponses à ce mystère de pertes d'abeilles.
Et le drame planétaire est que 80 % des plantes ont besoin des abeilles pour être fécondées ! Albert Einstein disait que si l'abeille disparaissait complètement un jour, l'espèce humaine disparaîtrait, elle aussi, en 4 ans !
Pégé
Windows 7 / Windows XP Pro / Windows 10 / Ubuntu 14.04 LTS / Linux Mint 17 MacOS X iBook, version 10.4.11 ¨Tiger¨.
Don’t Rush to Rescue Young Wildlife
Although this was published specifically for the state of Colorado, this information and advice applies to anywhere:
Spring has come to Colorado bringing blooms and rain showers, and of course the young wildlife of the year. As birds and mammals give birth, Colorado Parks and Wildlife wants to remind citizens that newborn wildlife may be found in backyards , along trails, or in open spaces. The best course of action is to leave them alone.
Each year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife receives scores of calls from concerned humans about wildlife that has been "abandoned" by adult animals. Many are tempted to "help" a young animal by picking it up or trying to feed it, however it is critical that people understand there is no substitute for their natural parents.
Wildlife experts agree that it is quite normal for adult animals to leave their young in a safe place while they go forage for food. And often baby birds are learning to fly, near their nests when they are deemed "abandoned." While well-meaning people sometimes gather up this baby wildlife and bring them to wildlife rehabilitation facilities, it is often the wrong thing to do.
"Baby mammals are scentless in order to prevent predators from finding them," said Janet George, senior terrestrial biologist for CPW. "When humans touch these animals, they are imparting them with a scent their adults will not recognize or even fear. This can result in true abandonment of healthy offspring."
Because birds do not have a highly developed sense of smell, baby birds are a different story. They can be picked up and moved out of harm's way or placed back in the nest if they are songbirds. However, do not try this with raptors! Great-horned owls and other raptors are territorial and have been known to fly at humans seen as a threat to their young.
If you find young wildlife, enjoy a quick glimpse, leave the animal where it is, and keep pets out of the area. Quietly observe the animal from a distance using binoculars and don't hover so close that the wild parents are afraid to return to the area.
"If twenty four hours go by and the parent does not return, or the young animal appears sick and weak, it is possible the newborn was abandoned or the parent is dead (hit by a car, for example)," said Jenny Campbell, customer service expert with CPW. "Call our office and we will work with our volunteer transport teams to get animals to a certified wildlife rehabilitation center to get aid for the wildlife if possible. Don't move the animal yourself!"
Donna Ralph of the non-profit Ellicott Wildlife Rehabilitation Center agrees. "Many of the animals we get should have never been picked up in the first place," said Ralph. "They would have had a better chance for survival if left in the care of the parent animal."
"The sooner the animal can be released back to where it came from the better," she explained. "Make sure you provide your contact information so we can let it go in the same place you found it."
Ralph said her center has already taken in many small mammals this year including several fox kits. "Baby foxes don't look like most people would expect them to look like. They are very small, very dark (almost black) and appear to be very kitten like. People who find them think they might be baby raccoons, skunks, or something else."
Ralph's advice: Don't try to feed them. Don't put anything into their mouths. Contact the CPW, a veterinarian, or licensed wildlife rehabilitator to give these babies the care they need.
"Whatever you do, don't try to keep the animal as a pet," she said. "It is illegal to keep wild animals in captivity unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator."
In addition to potential harm for wildlife, humans need to recognize the potential harm to them, as well. There can be risks associated with the handling of wildlife animals, including disease transmission of rabies, distemper or other illnesses. Wildlife can also carry fleas that might subsequently spread disease to humans or pets.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Spring has come to Colorado bringing blooms and rain showers, and of course the young wildlife of the year. As birds and mammals give birth, Colorado Parks and Wildlife wants to remind citizens that newborn wildlife may be found in backyards , along trails, or in open spaces. The best course of action is to leave them alone.
Wildlife experts agree that it is quite normal for adult animals to leave their young in a safe place while they go forage for food. And often baby birds are learning to fly, near their nests when they are deemed "abandoned." While well-meaning people sometimes gather up this baby wildlife and bring them to wildlife rehabilitation facilities, it is often the wrong thing to do.
"Baby mammals are scentless in order to prevent predators from finding them," said Janet George, senior terrestrial biologist for CPW. "When humans touch these animals, they are imparting them with a scent their adults will not recognize or even fear. This can result in true abandonment of healthy offspring."
Because birds do not have a highly developed sense of smell, baby birds are a different story. They can be picked up and moved out of harm's way or placed back in the nest if they are songbirds. However, do not try this with raptors! Great-horned owls and other raptors are territorial and have been known to fly at humans seen as a threat to their young.
If you find young wildlife, enjoy a quick glimpse, leave the animal where it is, and keep pets out of the area. Quietly observe the animal from a distance using binoculars and don't hover so close that the wild parents are afraid to return to the area.
"If twenty four hours go by and the parent does not return, or the young animal appears sick and weak, it is possible the newborn was abandoned or the parent is dead (hit by a car, for example)," said Jenny Campbell, customer service expert with CPW. "Call our office and we will work with our volunteer transport teams to get animals to a certified wildlife rehabilitation center to get aid for the wildlife if possible. Don't move the animal yourself!"
Donna Ralph of the non-profit Ellicott Wildlife Rehabilitation Center agrees. "Many of the animals we get should have never been picked up in the first place," said Ralph. "They would have had a better chance for survival if left in the care of the parent animal."
"The sooner the animal can be released back to where it came from the better," she explained. "Make sure you provide your contact information so we can let it go in the same place you found it."
Ralph said her center has already taken in many small mammals this year including several fox kits. "Baby foxes don't look like most people would expect them to look like. They are very small, very dark (almost black) and appear to be very kitten like. People who find them think they might be baby raccoons, skunks, or something else."
Ralph's advice: Don't try to feed them. Don't put anything into their mouths. Contact the CPW, a veterinarian, or licensed wildlife rehabilitator to give these babies the care they need.
"Whatever you do, don't try to keep the animal as a pet," she said. "It is illegal to keep wild animals in captivity unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator."
In addition to potential harm for wildlife, humans need to recognize the potential harm to them, as well. There can be risks associated with the handling of wildlife animals, including disease transmission of rabies, distemper or other illnesses. Wildlife can also carry fleas that might subsequently spread disease to humans or pets.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Bricolage : Des abeilles dans ma fenêtre ! ( 2 de 3 )
Salut à tous,
Et le printemps s'étire, avec ses soubresauts atmosphériques, typiques du climat variable de ma région, et moi, toujours impatient de pouvoir apprécier les premières chaleurs du début de l'été, avec l'éclosion totale de la Nature et surtout, de l'arrivée de mes premières abeilles !
Quoi de mieux, pour contrer cette attente fébrile que d'essayer d'en connaître davantage sur la vie, les moeurs et les habitudes toutes particulières des abeilles, cette charmante bestiole, quelque peu domestiquée mais ayant toutefois gardée son côté un peu sauvage !
Et je m'implique patiemment dans la littérature qui heureusement, est abondante et également imagée à souhait...
Dans cette recherche soutenue de connaissances, ce qui m'a énormément surpris, est de savoir que l'abeille a une vie très courte, sauf pour certaines d'entre elles et évidemment, la reine. En effet, à peine 50 jours s'écoulent entre sa sortie de la métamorphose de la larve et de son dernier vol... En voici les diverses étapes immuables car l'abeille, avec la fourmi, est un modèle de structure sociale, unique dans le monde animal, chacun des sujets ayant un travail très précis a exécuter :
- Nourrices : Dès sa sortie de la larve, comme abeille, son travail consiste, durant les 10 premiers jours, à préparer les cellules afin que la reine puisse y venir pondre les larves ou bien que les butineuses y déposent le produit de leur récolte - pollen, propolis, nectar et, dernier travail, nourrir les larves.
- Bâtisseuses : Pendant de 10 à 20 jours elles vont agrandir les rayons, car la population augmente continuellement. De plus, elles doivent transformer le miel, voir au nettoyage et à la régulation thermique de la ruche, de la protection contre les prédateurs possibles (guêpes, frelons) et aussi contre les voleuses de miel (abeilles étrangères).
- Butineuses : A partir du 20 ième jour jusqu'à la 5 ième ou 6 ième semaines de sa vie, l'abeille parcourt la campagne, dans un rayon de deux kilomètres, à la recherche de nectar, miellat, pollen, propolis ou en eau. Puis, elle meurt...
- Il y a également les ouvrières d'hiver : Celles qui vont naître à la fin de l'été et au début de l'automne vont vivre de 5 à 6 mois, leur corps étant plus riche en acide gras. Elles auront comme travail de protéger la reine placée au milieu des abeilles regroupées en boule, de maintenir la cohérence compacte de l'essaim qui passera l'hiver en maintenant une température moyenne de 30 degrés C grâce à leurs battements d'ailes...et enfin, elles préparent l'arrivée des nouvelles générations , le printemps venu !
- Faux-bourdons : Des mâles. Plus gros que les ouvrières, peu nombreux, aucun dard et ils ont comme unique tâche de féconder la reine lors de sa première et seule entrée dans la ruche, ne travaillent pas (!), sauf à maintenir la température et à répartir la nourriture dans la ruche. Et ils se font systématiquement trucider par les ouvrières à l'approche de l'hiver !
- Enfin, la reine : De plus grande taille - passe tout son temps à pondre, soit de plus de 2,000 oeufs par jour - ne sort jamais de la ruche sauf au début, pour se faire féconder. Elle peut vivre de 4 à 5 ans.
Les abeilles possèdent un langage d'une extrême précision, celui de la danse - dans l'obscurité de la ruche, par l'éclaireuse, qui renseigne les autres où se trouve la nourriture !
* Dans la photo du haut, la ruche installée dans ma petite remise-tour, et rattaché, le long couloir remontant jusqu`à la sortie du toit.
** Dans la photo du milieu, un petit centrifuge manuel, à 4 supports de cadres, ainsi qu`un bassin servant à nettoyer les cadres.
Suite et fin très bientôt,
Pégé
Windows 7 / Windows XP Pro / Windows 10 / Ubuntu 14.04 LTS / Linux Mint 17 MacOS X iBook, version 10.4.11 ¨Tiger¨.
Quoi de mieux, pour contrer cette attente fébrile que d'essayer d'en connaître davantage sur la vie, les moeurs et les habitudes toutes particulières des abeilles, cette charmante bestiole, quelque peu domestiquée mais ayant toutefois gardée son côté un peu sauvage !
Et je m'implique patiemment dans la littérature qui heureusement, est abondante et également imagée à souhait...
Dans cette recherche soutenue de connaissances, ce qui m'a énormément surpris, est de savoir que l'abeille a une vie très courte, sauf pour certaines d'entre elles et évidemment, la reine. En effet, à peine 50 jours s'écoulent entre sa sortie de la métamorphose de la larve et de son dernier vol... En voici les diverses étapes immuables car l'abeille, avec la fourmi, est un modèle de structure sociale, unique dans le monde animal, chacun des sujets ayant un travail très précis a exécuter :
- Nourrices : Dès sa sortie de la larve, comme abeille, son travail consiste, durant les 10 premiers jours, à préparer les cellules afin que la reine puisse y venir pondre les larves ou bien que les butineuses y déposent le produit de leur récolte - pollen, propolis, nectar et, dernier travail, nourrir les larves.
- Bâtisseuses : Pendant de 10 à 20 jours elles vont agrandir les rayons, car la population augmente continuellement. De plus, elles doivent transformer le miel, voir au nettoyage et à la régulation thermique de la ruche, de la protection contre les prédateurs possibles (guêpes, frelons) et aussi contre les voleuses de miel (abeilles étrangères).
- Butineuses : A partir du 20 ième jour jusqu'à la 5 ième ou 6 ième semaines de sa vie, l'abeille parcourt la campagne, dans un rayon de deux kilomètres, à la recherche de nectar, miellat, pollen, propolis ou en eau. Puis, elle meurt...
- Il y a également les ouvrières d'hiver : Celles qui vont naître à la fin de l'été et au début de l'automne vont vivre de 5 à 6 mois, leur corps étant plus riche en acide gras. Elles auront comme travail de protéger la reine placée au milieu des abeilles regroupées en boule, de maintenir la cohérence compacte de l'essaim qui passera l'hiver en maintenant une température moyenne de 30 degrés C grâce à leurs battements d'ailes...et enfin, elles préparent l'arrivée des nouvelles générations , le printemps venu !
- Enfin, la reine : De plus grande taille - passe tout son temps à pondre, soit de plus de 2,000 oeufs par jour - ne sort jamais de la ruche sauf au début, pour se faire féconder. Elle peut vivre de 4 à 5 ans.
Les abeilles possèdent un langage d'une extrême précision, celui de la danse - dans l'obscurité de la ruche, par l'éclaireuse, qui renseigne les autres où se trouve la nourriture !
* Dans la photo du haut, la ruche installée dans ma petite remise-tour, et rattaché, le long couloir remontant jusqu`à la sortie du toit.
** Dans la photo du milieu, un petit centrifuge manuel, à 4 supports de cadres, ainsi qu`un bassin servant à nettoyer les cadres.
Suite et fin très bientôt,
Pégé
Windows 7 / Windows XP Pro / Windows 10 / Ubuntu 14.04 LTS / Linux Mint 17 MacOS X iBook, version 10.4.11 ¨Tiger¨.
Festival of the Fireflies
Next month is the annual "Festival of the Fireflies" in the Great Smoky Mountains. to get you "fired" up, I thought I would share a video that was published by the Great Smoky Mountains Association last year. According to the GSMA:
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
In late spring/early summer fireflies begin their mating in the fields of Cades Cove over a two week period. A few days after mating, a female lays her fertilized eggs on or just below the surface of the ground. The eggs hatch three to four weeks later, and the larvae feed until the end of the summer.
Fireflies are disappearing around the planet, and a lot of it is blamed on the use of pesticides. In Cades Cove, pesticides are not used, so the fireflies thrive.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Blue Ridge Parkway Community Connections Make Dollars and Sense
Just as the Blue Ridge Parkway prepares to welcome visitors for the 2017 season, a new National Park Service report shows that visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway in 2016 spent $979,334,200 in communities near the park; and that spending supported 15,649 jobs in the region having a cumulative impact to local economies of $1,341,343,100.
As many of the Parkway’s campgrounds and visitor centers have opened for the 2017 season this past weekend, the report reinforces the connection between the Parkway and its neighboring communities. While park staff are eager to welcome visitors of all ages to enjoy the rich cultural and outdoor recreation experiences found across the 469-mile route, local communities are also preparing attractions and services for these same visitors.
From Waynesboro, Virginia to Waynesville, North Carolina, the Parkway passes through 29 counties and many villages, towns, and cities across the two states. “The Parkway is a strong economic engine for our community, and many others,” says Lynn Collins, Executive Director of the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority. “The 2016 National Park Visitor Spending Effects report reinforces the value of having the Parkway in our county and is an important reminder that tourism to national parks makes a difference for all of us. Haywood County is proud to provide Parkway visitors with amenities that complete their Parkway visit; and based on this report, we look forward to a robust 2017 season.”
According to the 2016 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (31.2 percent) followed by food and beverages (27.2 percent), gas and oil (11.7 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent), souvenirs and other expenses (9.7 percent), local transportation (7.4 percent), and camping fees (2.5%).
Report authors this year produced an online, interactive tool where users can explore current year visitor spending, jobs, labor income, value added, and output effects by sector for national, state, and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available at the NPS Social Science Program webpage: go.nps.gov/vse. The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
As many of the Parkway’s campgrounds and visitor centers have opened for the 2017 season this past weekend, the report reinforces the connection between the Parkway and its neighboring communities. While park staff are eager to welcome visitors of all ages to enjoy the rich cultural and outdoor recreation experiences found across the 469-mile route, local communities are also preparing attractions and services for these same visitors.
From Waynesboro, Virginia to Waynesville, North Carolina, the Parkway passes through 29 counties and many villages, towns, and cities across the two states. “The Parkway is a strong economic engine for our community, and many others,” says Lynn Collins, Executive Director of the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority. “The 2016 National Park Visitor Spending Effects report reinforces the value of having the Parkway in our county and is an important reminder that tourism to national parks makes a difference for all of us. Haywood County is proud to provide Parkway visitors with amenities that complete their Parkway visit; and based on this report, we look forward to a robust 2017 season.”
According to the 2016 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (31.2 percent) followed by food and beverages (27.2 percent), gas and oil (11.7 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent), souvenirs and other expenses (9.7 percent), local transportation (7.4 percent), and camping fees (2.5%).
Report authors this year produced an online, interactive tool where users can explore current year visitor spending, jobs, labor income, value added, and output effects by sector for national, state, and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available at the NPS Social Science Program webpage: go.nps.gov/vse. The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Bricolage : Des abeilles dans ma fenêtre ! (1 de 3 )
Salut à tous,
Un murmure qui s'en va en grossissant. Cela m'intrigue, je jette un coup d'oeil à la grande fenêtre de la cuisine et... quel spectacle s'offrant à mes yeux ! Le toit pointu d'une petite remise en forme de tour est littéralement couvert d'une épaisse couche d'abeilles... certainement de 10 à 15,000 qui , lentement, s'engouffrent dans l'ouverture du toit qui mène à une ruche placée à l'intérieur... leur foyer pour les mois a venir et pour moi, commence une merveilleuse aventure qui va durer 7 ans, avec mes amies, les abeilles !
L'idée avait germée dans ma tête, une année auparavant. Dans une revue, un reportage avec photos qui me plaisait beaucoup avait suscité ma curiosité. Le concierge d'un hôtel de Paris avait aménagé deux ruches sur le toit plat de l'édifice de quatre étages et , bon an, mal an, disait récolter annuellement près de 200 kilos de miel, favorisé par un environnement ayant de nombreux arbres.
Alors, comme j'adore expérimenter, je me suis dit: '' Pourquoi ne pas tenter la même expérience dans ma petite remise située à deux mètres de la maison et possédant déjà une ouverture sur le toit ''.
Et pendant les mois qui suivirent, j'entre en contact avec deux apiculteurs locaux, les aide à l'occasion dans leurs travaux d'entretien de leurs ruchers, pose quantité de questions pertinentes sur le sujet et assiste même à une réunion annuelle des apiculteurs régionaux. De plus, je me documente en littérature de base sur ces petites bestioles...
Au printemps suivant, mon installation est déjà en place. Ruche dans la remise, un couloir la reliant à la sortie du toit et y incluant même une petite fenêtre en ''plexiglass'' me permettant de pouvoir observer le va-et-vient des abeilles butineuses le moment venu; un petit centrifuge manuel de quatre cadres pour en extraire le miel accumulé et enfin, un accoutrement de protection contre les ''piqures'' éventuelles ! Je suis prêt pour mon nouveau ''métier'' d'apiculteur...
A suivre très bientôt,
Pégé
Alors, comme j'adore expérimenter, je me suis dit: '' Pourquoi ne pas tenter la même expérience dans ma petite remise située à deux mètres de la maison et possédant déjà une ouverture sur le toit ''.
Et pendant les mois qui suivirent, j'entre en contact avec deux apiculteurs locaux, les aide à l'occasion dans leurs travaux d'entretien de leurs ruchers, pose quantité de questions pertinentes sur le sujet et assiste même à une réunion annuelle des apiculteurs régionaux. De plus, je me documente en littérature de base sur ces petites bestioles...
Au printemps suivant, mon installation est déjà en place. Ruche dans la remise, un couloir la reliant à la sortie du toit et y incluant même une petite fenêtre en ''plexiglass'' me permettant de pouvoir observer le va-et-vient des abeilles butineuses le moment venu; un petit centrifuge manuel de quatre cadres pour en extraire le miel accumulé et enfin, un accoutrement de protection contre les ''piqures'' éventuelles ! Je suis prêt pour mon nouveau ''métier'' d'apiculteur...
A suivre très bientôt,
Pégé
Windows 7 / Windows XP Pro / Windows 10 / Ubuntu 14.04 LTS / Linux Mint 17 MacOS X iBook, version 10.4.11 ¨Tiger¨.
Rainbow Falls Trail Rehabilitation Project Begins May 8th
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that a 2-year trail rehabilitation project will begin next week on the popular Rainbow Falls Trail. The trail will be closed May 8, 2017 through November 16, 2017 on Monday mornings at 7:00 a.m. through Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. weekly. Due to the construction process on the narrow trail, a full closure is necessary for the safety of both the crew and visitors. The trail will be fully open each week on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and on federal holidays.
The parking lot at the Rainbow Falls trailhead area will be closed May 8 through June 15, Monday through Thursday, to facilitate heavy re-construction of the trailhead area where several trails intersect. After June 15, the parking lot will be open so users can access the Old Sugarlands Trail and the Trillium Gap Trail connector trail.
“This work will be a long-term solution to the various safety and route finding issues found along this section of the Rainbow Falls Trail and will allow visitors to enjoy the trail and the scenic areas surrounding it safely for years to come,” said Tobias Miller, Trails and Roads Facility Manager. “This project would not be possible without the generous support from our park partner, Friends of the Smokies, who provide funding for the project through the trails forever endowment program.”
The Trails Forever crew will focus rehabilitation efforts on several targeted locations along the 6-mile trail to improve visitor safety and stabilize eroding trail sections. Rainbow Falls Trail is one of the most popular trails in the park leading hikers to Rainbow Falls and Mt. Le Conte. The planned work will improve overall trail safety and protect natural resources by reducing trail braiding and improving drainage to prevent further erosion.
Hikers can still reach Mt. Le Conte, LeConte Lodge, and the Le Conte Shelter by using one of the other four open trails to the summit. The Mt. LeConte Lodge and Mt. Le Conte backcountry shelter will remain open and can be accessed from any of these other routes during the Rainbow Falls Trail closure. The recently restored Alum Cave Trail along with Boulevard, Brushy Mountain and Trillium Gap trails are all open and lead to Mt. Le Conte.
Trails Forever is a partnership program between Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Friends of the Smokies. The Friends have donated over $1,000,000 to support the program, in part through the generosity of the Knoxville based Aslan Foundation. The Trails Forever program provides the opportunity for a highly skilled trail crew to focus reconstruction efforts on high use and high priority trails in the park including the recently restored Alum Cave Trail, Chimney Tops Trail, and Forney Ridge Trail. The program also provides a mechanism for volunteers to work alongside the trail crew on these complex trail projects to assist in making lasting improvements to preserve the trails for future generations.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
“This work will be a long-term solution to the various safety and route finding issues found along this section of the Rainbow Falls Trail and will allow visitors to enjoy the trail and the scenic areas surrounding it safely for years to come,” said Tobias Miller, Trails and Roads Facility Manager. “This project would not be possible without the generous support from our park partner, Friends of the Smokies, who provide funding for the project through the trails forever endowment program.”
The Trails Forever crew will focus rehabilitation efforts on several targeted locations along the 6-mile trail to improve visitor safety and stabilize eroding trail sections. Rainbow Falls Trail is one of the most popular trails in the park leading hikers to Rainbow Falls and Mt. Le Conte. The planned work will improve overall trail safety and protect natural resources by reducing trail braiding and improving drainage to prevent further erosion.
Hikers can still reach Mt. Le Conte, LeConte Lodge, and the Le Conte Shelter by using one of the other four open trails to the summit. The Mt. LeConte Lodge and Mt. Le Conte backcountry shelter will remain open and can be accessed from any of these other routes during the Rainbow Falls Trail closure. The recently restored Alum Cave Trail along with Boulevard, Brushy Mountain and Trillium Gap trails are all open and lead to Mt. Le Conte.
Trails Forever is a partnership program between Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Friends of the Smokies. The Friends have donated over $1,000,000 to support the program, in part through the generosity of the Knoxville based Aslan Foundation. The Trails Forever program provides the opportunity for a highly skilled trail crew to focus reconstruction efforts on high use and high priority trails in the park including the recently restored Alum Cave Trail, Chimney Tops Trail, and Forney Ridge Trail. The program also provides a mechanism for volunteers to work alongside the trail crew on these complex trail projects to assist in making lasting improvements to preserve the trails for future generations.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
HikinginGlacier.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
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