Tag: Wildlife

Serendipity

Sometimes it’s the accidents that bring us most pleasure. And such was the case this month with an unexpected appearance by the office front door. A beautiful Aquilegia (also known as Columbine, or Granny’s bonnet) with huge flower heads and exquisite colour. Unplanned, unplanted, but gifted by an unknown visitor (a bird or mammal, or blown in on the wind…?)

A lesson for those of us (me) who try to control everything. Why not loosen up a little? Who knows what beauty is lurking nearby just waiting for a chance to shine?

Our unexpected visitor – possibly Aquilegia caerulea – hybrid ‘Heavenly Blue’

Footnote for the wordsmiths: Aquilegia comes from the Latin ‘aquila’ = an eagle, a reference to the shape of the petals with their curved spurs being like an eagle’s talons. Columbine is also a reference to the flower shape. ‘Columba’ is Latin for a dove, the flowers reminding people of a dove in flight with the petals being the wings and the spurs the neck and head. 

What’s the buzz?

It’s been a busy few weeks in the beekeeping world – we’ve captured 3 honey bee swarms and seen (and heard) another one flying over the house, off to make it’s way in the world.

A swarm in the orchard

The key to capturing a swarm is to find the queen – once she is safely in the box then the rest of the bees follow on behind. Then it’s just a matter of waiting until all are safely gathered in, and after that, moving them into their new ‘permanent’ home; warm and dry, with wax frames and some food to get them started.

There is a parallel here to my day job. With any change, there is usually one key stakeholder to ‘get on board’. Prioritising their concerns is the number one job of the Project Manager. As long as they are reassured, then usually the rest of the team will make it work.

Now it’s a matter of keeping them all productive for a good honey crop…