Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Page A-3
Pollinator Ecology course at Siskiyou Field Institute
Christy Solo
IVN Contributing Writer
Want to get outside in a
beautiful location this summer? Do
something by yourself or with the
family? Oh, and learn something
too? Then an adult education course
at the Siskiyou Field Institute is the
thing for you.
First, to view the catalogue
and see what courses there are in the
balance of June through November
go to: http://www.thesfi.org/index.
asp
Now, let me tell you about the
course I took in May - Pollinator
Ecology. While I know a lot about
pollinators, the course was more
about the needs of the plants and
their evolution to get those needs
met than those doing the pollinating;
lots for me to learn.
Each course is presented
by a different expert. Pollinator
Ecology (PE) was presented by
August Jackson, the interpretation
coordinator at the Mount Pisgah
Arboretum in Eugene. While some
courses are all outdoors, PE began
inside with a lecture/Power Point
presentation. It may sound dry, but
the presentation was chock full of
gorgeous photos of native plants and
pretty pollinators, mostly flies and
bees.
Fun fact: flies are actually
responsible for 33 percent of all
pollination worldwide. Because
most bees can’t fly if it’s below 60°
or overcast or rainy and because
this is Oregon – the bulk of early
spring blossoms depend on flies.
Bumblebees are some of the
first bees out buzzing around so
additionally many spring blooms
have evolved just for the big
buzzers.
One example is larkspur, which
keeps its nectar way down inside
so only bumblebees have tongues
(which are actually proboscis, more
like straws than tongues) long
enough to get it. Getting that nectar,
and pollinating as they do so, is not
easy, and bumblebees have to learn
how to do it. Lucky bumbles can
watch other bees and learn that way,
while those without mentors have to
get to that nectar by trial and error.
It’s a time investment, so once a bee
has cracked the nectar code, it will
keep going back to the same type
of flower to save learning about
another type as long as it can.
Some flowers are more
cooperative and signal to bees, “No
nectar here.” Houndstongue, for
example, blooms bright blue but
turns pink once pollinated. Savvy
bees can see that only the blue
flowers will have nectar and pollen
left and bypass the pink.
This color change can evolve
over time as a permanent change to
attract different pollinators too. If
you’re familiar with our awesome
native snowy thistle and its unique
red bloom then you’ve seen this
in action (if you aren’t - Google
it!). Red attracts hummingbirds
versus bees, flies, wasps and other
pollinators.
If you need another reason to
go exploring outdoors this summer,
head up to Crater Lake in July
or early August to see the cliff
penstemon (penstemon rupicola).
Historically, a blue bloom, the
Crater Lake species is growing
pinker on its way to red as the
years go by because for that flower,
hummingbirds will do a better job of
pollination.
You can even take a Siskiyou
Field Institute course (or two!) at
Crater Lake. Both the Geology of
Crater Lake and Birds & Botany of
Crater Lake are offered in July and
August. Go check out that website
today; learning has never been so
much fun.
(Photo by Christy Solo, Ilinois Valley News
Paper mining bee in a California poppy
Advisability of having bikes during dire emergencies: by Flo C. Blake
Flo Blake interviewed a true expert–her stepson
Greg—for his advice on how we might handle crisis
situations wecould face following earthquakes.
Greg Blake started working (after school) at
age 15 in the bicycle industry, wrenching at a New
York bike shop, learning mechanics, sales, and repair.
Moving up to running a warranty department, he spent
20 years working with the brand “Mongoose,” which
eventually became part of Pacific Cycle,the largest
bicycle distributor in America. His background in the
industry ranges from design/engineering to marketing
and distribution. Now a free agent with over 30 year’s
experience, Greg travels to Europe and Asia annually
attending bicycle trade shows, visiting factories and
offering his expertise to fledgling businesses.
When approached with the premise of bicycles’
possible functions during potential disasters, the
concept intrigued him. “We hope any such emergencies
would be brief,” he said. “But with floods,
earthquakes, or violent storms, significant time may
pass before clear roads, gasoline, and electricity are
restored. Will vital supplies hold out?”
The bicycle represents a simple yet brilliant
idea. Over the past 100 years, little has changed in
the basic two-wheeled “safety bicycle.” Its efficiency
The
G SPOT
Fridays
jEN
aMBROSE
HUMP DAY KARAOKE
w/ Jammer & Birdy
8-midnight
F r i d a y, J u n e 1 5
@ 5:30
OPEN MIC w/B
Thursdays @ 7
Ras Gariele
Friday 10 p.m. - midnight
and usefulness remain relevant. Requiring virtually
no external power source, a bike can navigate over
more aggressive terrain than comparable transportation
methods. Unlike horses, bikes require zero need to be
fed, rested, or watered.
Imagine encountering a scenario of trees or
downed power lines on the road. You could lift your
bicycle and carry it over most obstacles (while being
duly vigilant around downed power lines and poles).
Also, after days or weeks without power, dwindling
supplies of gas or electricity would obviously run out.
The bicycle is the best preparation for a calamity
(along with safe water, canned food, lighter, flashlights
etc.).A bike can also help with traveling to check
on loved ones, picking up necessities and in-person
communicating.
Bicycles range in price, quality, ability and
weight. However, we’re not talking about racing;
rather about practical survival.
Ideally, the bicycle should handle both road and
off-road conditions. A narrow, tired road bike isn’t
ideal (although better than nothing). A mountain
bike or bicycle with wider knobby tires is the best
bet. Light weight (aluminum) certainly helps, should
youneed to carry it over obstacles or through narrow
from
Taylor’s
Country Store
GUPPY
Saturday the 16th @ 6 PM
Every Wednesday
Open MIC Night
6 - 9 p.m.
J Barley
Friday nights @ 6
corridors between buildings.
Locally, we can find bicycles through certain
stores,or “big box” retailers. Prices for new bikes
range upward from about $120. We may also find used
ones in thrift shops, garage sales or online.
In terms of emergencies, both flashlights and
bicycles require periodic attention. If bicycles sit idle
in our garages for long time periods, the tires may run
low on air pressure. A hand or foot-operated air pump
needs no electricity or gas to inflate tires. Additionally,
a basic complement of tools goes a long way during
prolonged power outages. Depending on the bicycle
itself, an open-end or crescent wrench, “Allen” or
hex keys (typically metric) Phillips and flathead
screwdrivers, a patch kit, and a spare inner tube (or
two) is advisable. Since you won’t be looking up “how
to fix my bike” on YouTube, prepare for maintenance
plus changing bicycle’s tube/tires. Preferably learn
in advance via local bike experts, online tutorials or
applicable library books.
Finally, consider a hand-freeing backpack to
bridge the gap between two-foot and two-wheeled
travel during unexpected or challenging-events.
CHERYL’S The Fireflies
Karaoke w/
Mark @ 9
BAR & GRILL
Saturday
Pool Tourney
Tournament
8 p.m.
Sunday Funday
free pool
Sportsman
Tavern
9-Ball
Thursdays @ 7
18097 Redwood Hwy
Selma
FRIDAY
7-10 PM - $5
Outdoor bandstand
@
McGrew’s
Now open Wednesdays
Call
541-596-2202