So A Drone Walks Into a Bar
That subject line was totally taken from Belinda who gave me an idea when I expressed my nervousness. Thanks, Belinda!
I'm feelin' a bit nervous. Tonight, I'm speaking to the Minnesota Hobby Beekeepers Association. When I was asked, I hesitated--what could I possibly have to share with experienced beekeepers apart from my mistakes? The person booking me was interested in how I document my bees--types of cameras, video, etc. That is something I can easily talk about--but I'm still nervous. I've done so many bird programs that I have a good sense of the audience, I have some tried and true bird jokes, I have a sense of when to use my phalarope joke and when to leave it unsaid. I know how to work that audience and give a bird talk at a moment's notice and know that I will slay the audience. I have no idea which jokes will work with beekeepers--this is new ground. But, it's good to shake up my program giving skills.
Speaking of bees, last time we were at the hives, Mr. Neil pointed out some new tracks around the hives. I think these are possum tracks and not skunk, so I'm not too worried, but if anyone has any ideas, I'd sure love to know what you think.
I'm feelin' a bit nervous. Tonight, I'm speaking to the Minnesota Hobby Beekeepers Association. When I was asked, I hesitated--what could I possibly have to share with experienced beekeepers apart from my mistakes? The person booking me was interested in how I document my bees--types of cameras, video, etc. That is something I can easily talk about--but I'm still nervous. I've done so many bird programs that I have a good sense of the audience, I have some tried and true bird jokes, I have a sense of when to use my phalarope joke and when to leave it unsaid. I know how to work that audience and give a bird talk at a moment's notice and know that I will slay the audience. I have no idea which jokes will work with beekeepers--this is new ground. But, it's good to shake up my program giving skills.
Speaking of bees, last time we were at the hives, Mr. Neil pointed out some new tracks around the hives. I think these are possum tracks and not skunk, so I'm not too worried, but if anyone has any ideas, I'd sure love to know what you think.Labels: beekeeping, bees
posted by birdchick at 7:56 AM
7 Comments:
Good luck with the talk tonight. My department supervisor from the lab will be there and I told her about you.
Good luck with the talk tonight.
And those prints look like raccoon "handprints" to me here in MA, but I'm not sure if you have raccoons in your area?
Sharon, good luck with your presentation. "you bee talkin' some good stuff" I'm sure.
RE: your mystery tracks, I have about 5 different tracking books and after checking them all, I would definitely say it is NOT a skunk - they have longer claws and shorter, closer 'fingers' (relative to the pad size) -plus they are very unlikely to be out of hibernation this time of year.
It is most likely a raccoon (d/t the long fingers and fairly closely spaced digits) but they could also be a 'possum. Opossum have an opposable thumb which is extremely apparent on the hindfoot and usually apparent on the front.
Were there other more 'good' prints revealing this? This particular picture would not be definitive to my eye and measuring the track dimensions would be helpful.
Good luck, m'friend! I predict you'll be the most interesting speaker of the year (c:
You'll do a great job Sharon! Liven the place up :-)
Those are the cutest little paws, whatever they are!
I've always wanted to print up some I'd Rather be" bumper stickers that say "I'd Rather BEE Keeping"
Not wanting to start argument, but according to Elbroch's Mammal Tracks & Sign, opossum have nails on the front thumbs. My inexpert vote is 'possum.
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