The Plight of the Bumblebee

This picture is for Angie, whose obsession with bees lead to a photo essay and calendar. As I understand it, bees and bumble bees in particular are in danger all over America and their demise threatens key crops such as stone fruits and almonds. Today, beekeepers actually truck in trailers filled with bees to pollinate fields all over California and their services are in demand. Introduced foreign bee species, endemic diseases, loss of habitat, and the overuse of pesticides all contribute to diminishing bee reserves. To counteract this prevailing trend, a new underground movement is afoot in Bay Area communities. Organizations such as Garden for the Environment (http://www.gardenfortheenvironment.org/) promote urban beekeeping in local workshops over on 7th and Lawton, in the Inner Sunset. I can attest that their homegrown honey is delicious!