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Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Honeysuckle & Lilacs - On the Hunt for Day and Night Pollinators & Grazers, A Photographic Study in the Rain

Pink Honeysuckle Flower
Thank you for your complements and encouragement in my preparation of this series.

This one is dedicated to Lynda, on the occasion of her March 3rd birthday, a while ago; and to Margaret, on the occasion of her 68th birthday on July 30, 2015

>> Sound On >> Best viewed Full Screen >> Darkened Room
(3:21 minutes)


Published on YouTube Tuesday, July 29, 2015

Honeysuckle
Results of a Google Search, for additional information (and, click on direct hyperlinks):
The perennial vine Lonicera hispidula is a species of honeysuckle known as pink honeysuckle and, less often, California honeysuckle. It is a low-elevation woodlands shrub or vine found on the West Coast of the Canada and the United States.
Lonicera hispidula is cultivated by specialty native plant plant nurseries as an ornamental plant for drought-tolerant wildlife gardens and natural landscaping on the West Coast of North America. The flowers attract hummingbirds; other birds eat the fruits.
Description
Lonicera hispidula has distinctive leaves growing opposite on the stems, the uppermost pairs fused at the bases to surround the stem. At the end of the stem grow attractive pink honeysuckle blossoms. It bears spherical red fruits which are edible but bitter.
Subspecies
There are two subspecies:
  • Lonicera hispidula hispidula
  • Lonicera hispidula vacillans.
Uses
The stems are hollow and sturdy and were used by the Pomo people as smoking pipes.
Lonicera hispidula is cultivated by specialty native plant plant nurseries as an ornamental plant for drought-tolerant wildlife gardens and natural landscaping in West Coast Canada and the United States; largely Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington. The flowers attract hummingbirds while other birds eat the bitter tasting (to us, humans) fruits.
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Lilacs
Results of a Google Search, for additional information (and, click on direct hyperlinks):
Syringa (Lilac) is a genus of 12 currently recognized[1] species of flowering woody plants in the olive family (Oleaceae), native to woodland and scrub from southeastern Europe to eastern Asia, and widely and commonly cultivated in temperate areas elsewhere.[2][3][4][5]
The genus is most closely related to Ligustrum (privet), classified with it in Oleaceae tribus Oleeae subtribus Ligustrinae.[6]
Lilacs are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species (an order of insects that includes moths and butterflies, both called lepidopterans - including Copper Underwing, Scalloped Oak and Svensson's Copper Underwing and Saras.
Etymology
Via Arabic ليلك lilak from Persian نیلک nilak meaning "bluish".[7]
The genus name Syringa is derived from Greek syrinx, meaning a hollow tube or pipe, and refers to the broad pith in the shoots in some species, easily hollowed out since ancient times to make reed pipes and flutes.[8]
The English common name "lilac" is from the French lilac.[9][10][11]
A pale purple colour is generally known as lilac after the characteristic color of the flowers of many kinds of lilac, especially Syringa vulgaris.
Description
They are small trees, ranging in size from 2 to 10 metres (6 ft 7 in to 32 ft 10 in) tall, with stems up to 20 to 30 centimetres (7.9 to 11.8 in) diameter. The leaves are opposite (occasionally in whorls of three) in arrangement, and their shape is simple and heart-shaped to broad lanceolate in most species, but pinnate in a few species (e.g. S. protolaciniata, S. pinnatifolia). The flowers are produced in spring, each flower being 5 to 10 millimetres (0.20 to 0.39 in) in diameter with a four-lobed corolla, the corolla tube narrow, 5 to 20 millimetres (0.20 to 0.79 in) long; they are bisexual, with fertile stamens and stigma in each flower. The usual flower colour is a shade of purple (often a light purple or lilac), but white, pale yellow and pink, and even a dark burgundy color are also found. The flowers grow in large panicles, and in several species have a strong fragrance. Flowering varies between mid spring to early summer, depending on the species. The fruit is a dry, brown capsule, splitting in two at maturity to release the two winged seeds.[3][4][5][9]
Cultivation and uses
Lilacs are popular shrubs in parks and gardens throughout the temperate zone, and several hybrids and numerous cultivars have been developed. The term French lilac is often used to refer to modern double-flowered cultivars, thanks to the work of prolific breeder Victor Lemoine. Lilacs grow most successfully in well-drained soils, particularly those based on chalk.[12] They flower on old wood, and produce more flowers if unpruned. If pruned, the plant responds by producing fast-growing young vegetative growth with no flowers, in an attempt to restore the removed branches. Lilac bushes can be prone to powdery mildew disease.
The wood of lilac is close-grained, diffuse-porous, extremely hard and one of the densest in Europe.[citation needed] The sapwood is typically cream-coloured and the heartwood has various shades of brown and purple. Lilac wood has traditionally been used for engraving, musical instruments, knife handles etc.[citation needed] When drying, the wood has a tendency to be encurved as a twisted material, and to split into narrow sticks.
Symbolism
Lilacs are often considered to symbolize love (see language of flowers). In Greece, Lebanon, and Cyprus, the lilac is strongly associated with Easter time because it flowers around that time; it is consequently called paschalia.
In a poem by Walt Whitman called When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd Lilacs are often a reference to Abraham Lincoln.
Syringa vulgaris is the state flower of New Hampshire, because it "is symbolic of that hardy character of the men and women of the Granite State" (New Hampshire Revised Statute Annotated (RSA) 3:5).
Several locations in North America hold annual Lilac Festivals, including:
  • The Arnold Arboretum in Boston, Massachusetts, which celebrates "Lilac Sunday" every May. The Arboretum shows off its collection of over 422 lilac plants, of 194 different varieties.[13] Lilac Sunday is the only day of the year when picnicking is allowed on the grounds of the Arboretum.
  • Lombard, Illinois, called the "Lilac Village", which has an annual lilac festival and parade in May. The village also contains Lilacia Park, a garden with over 200 varieties of lilacs, as well as over 50 kinds of tulips.
  • Mackinac Island, in Michigan, which celebrates a weeklong lilac festival and lilac parade each June.
  • Rochester, New York, which has held its Lilac Festival since 1898, the longest-running in North America. This celebration is held in Highland Park, which has the most varieties of lilacs at any single place, many of which were developed in Rochester.
  • The Royal Botanical Gardens near Hamilton, Ontario, which holds its Lilac Celebration each May.
  • Spokane, Washington, known as the "Lilac City", which holds an annual lilac festival and lilac parade.
  • Franktown, Ontario, Canada, holds an annual festival.[14]
  • Calgary, Alberta - 4th Street Lilac Festival. This free one day event is the start up to Calgary's vibrant festival season, and encourages citizens to shake off their winter blues and reintroduce themselves to the thriving creative community in our city.
Species
Species and subspecies currently accepted as of July 2014:[1][3]
  1. Syringa emodi Wall. ex Royle - Himalayan lilac - northern India, Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal
  2. Syringa josikaea J.Jacq. ex Rchb.f. - Carpathian Mountains of Romania and Ukraine
  3. Syringa komarowii C.K.Schneid. - Gansu, Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan
  4. Syringa oblata Lindl. - Korea, Gansu, Hebei, Henan, Jilin, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan
  5. Syringa oblata subsp. dilatata Nakai - Korea, Jilin, Liaoning
  6. Syringa persica L. (syn Syringa protolaciniata) - Persian lilac - Afghanistan, Pakistan, western Himalayas, Gansu, Qinghai
  7. Syringa pinetorum W.W.Sm. - Sichuan, Tibet, Yunnan
  8. Syringa pinnatifolia Hemsl. - Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan
  9. Syringa pubescens Turcz. - Korea, Gansu, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Jilin, Liaoning, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan
  10. Syringa reticulata (Blume) H.Hara (syn. S. pekinensis) - Japanese tree lilac - Primorye, Japan, Korea, Gansu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Jilin, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan
  11. Syringa tomentella Bureau & Franch. - Sichuan, Tibet, Yunnan
  12. Syringa villosa Vahl - Primorye, Korea, Hebei, Shanxi, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning
  13. Syringa vulgaris L. - common lilac - native to Balkans; naturalized in western and central Europe, and many scattered locations in North America [15]
Hybrids
  • S. × diversifolia (S. oblata × S. pinnatifolia)
  • S. × henryi (S. josikaea × S. villosa)
  • S. × hyacinthiflora (S. oblata × S. vulgaris)
  • S. × josiflexa (S. josikaea × S. komarowii)
  • S. × laciniata (S. protolaciniata × S. vulgaris)
  • S. × persica (S. protolaciniata × unknown)
  • S. × prestoniae (S. komarowii × S. villosa)
  • S. × swegiflexa (S. komarowii × S. sweginzowii)
Last weekend I was on a short four day vacation stay with Meryl and Allan, some of my relatives and their family, in Mission, BC. On the afternoon of Thursday, July 23, 2015 I took the West Coast Express Train from Waterfront Station (Vancouver) out, and returned early Monday morning, July 27, 2015, again by the West Coast Express Train. Gracious hosts that they are, Allan both picked me up and dropped me off at the Mission City Station, a train station. On Friday, July 24, 2015 Allan, in his 80s, joined me in the District of Mission gymnasium, in there 3,600 sq. foot weight room, for my regular exercise program. Meryl fed me so well that I'll need to pick up on my exercise routines.
On Saturday, July 25, 2015, Allan took me to visit Westminster Abbey, a community of Benedictine in Mission, British Columbia, established in 1939 from the Abbey of Mount Angel, Oregon. The abbey is home to the Seminary of Christ the King and is a member of the Swiss American Congregation within the Benedictine Confederation.
The abbey's official name is the Abbey of Saint Joseph of Westminster; Saint Joseph is the abbey's patron saint.
Since Allan is of Scottish ancestry, I think he was pleased that District of Mission has its own tartan, presented to Mission, British Columbia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia by the Mission Weavers and Spinners Guild October 18, 1999, the tartan (Tartan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) was created to reflect the diversity of natural and industrial history of the Mission area. Mission also has its own Coat of Arms and Flag composed, according to classic heraldic laws, of the shield of arms arranged to fit a horizontal shape.
The Official Flower of Mission is the Caitlin Rhododendron. It is a beautiful pink scented rhododendron that was created by Dr. Jim Marcellus through the crossing of the Fortune (Images) and Hummingbird (Images) Rhododendrons, and named after his granddaughter. It was presented to council by Communities in Bloom on April 2, 2007.
The Caitlin Rhododendron is registered with the Royal Horticultural Society. It is a large shrub, very dense and its leaves are quite small, oval in shape and the flowers are a stunning, brilliant pink colour. Perhaps its outstanding characteristic is its lovely scent and when the plant is in full bloom, around the middle of April, the blooms cover the whole shrub from the base to the top. It takes the plant-lover’s breath away with its beauty.
A special thank you to the Fraser South Rhododendron Society for allowing us to use this spectacular picture of the Caitlin Rhododendron taken by the late Dr. Margaret ‘Mike’ Trembath.”
Needless to say, I had my cameras at the ready for a close-up photoshoot of some of the Honeysuckle and Lilac Flowers around Mission, British Columbia. Finally, the first steady rain arrived in over two months, albeit not enough to recharge the water reservoirs or aquifers. Mission maintained its Level 4 water conservation alert. Conditions are so dry in B.C's Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast and Fraser Valley that the provincial government had raised the drought rating to the highest category — Level 4 — and are warning that if things get worse, water shortages could affect people, industry and agriculture. Further water restrictions may come. This provincial drought rating is distinct from the regional ratings used by water managers, such as Metro Vancouver — but the change means further water use restrictions could be imposed in the region, if necessary (BC's Provincial Drought Rating System is on Table 2: Drought Response Levels Summary, on page 14 of this .pdf file).

Bats, butterflies and hummingbirds are pollinators of both Honeysuckle and Lilacs.
Grazing has two distinct meanings. First, grazing is a method of feeding in which a herbivore feeds on plants such as grasses, or other multicellular organisms such as algae. Many small selective herbivores follow larger grazers, who skim off the highest, tough growth of plants, exposing tender shoots. For terrestrial animals, grazing is normally distinguished from browsing in that grazing is eating grass or forbs, and browsing is eating woody twigs and leaves from trees and shrubs.[1] Grazing differs from true predation because the organism being grazed upon is not generally killed. Grazing differs from parasitism as the two organisms do not live together, nor is the grazer necessarily so limited in what it can eat (see generalist and specialist species). Water animals that feed for example on algae found on stones are called grazers-scrapers. Grazers-scrapers feed also on microorganisms and dead organic matter on various substrates.[2]
Second, grazing is a method of agriculture in which domestic livestock are used to convert grass and other forage into meat, milk and other products.
With more modern cameras and computers, since 2013, I now do most all of my photographic and videographic work in Hi-Definition HD1080p (pixels). Many of my followers, however, do not have a Hi Speed Internet connections and the images may be pixilated – see also Wikipedia example. Or, rasterised (blurry). There are a few ways of overcoming the problem:
  1. Once the video slideshow is started, at the bottom right of any YouTube video click on the gear icon and change the quality of the image from HD 1080p (pixels), down to, say 144p, then try increasing it slowly.
  • Both the governments of Alberta and British Columbia have made commitments to place Hi Speed Internet through-out their respective provinces; as is the case in most other North American jurisdictions.
You may notice that some of my photographic studies and slideshows are quite dim. I prefer taking photographs at dawn, dusk or at night without artificial light; or when it is wet. Hopefully, you will also see something that you have never seen before.
This is the 8th in my series of photographic slideshows for 2015 taken in and around Lynn Valley, Lower Lynn and North and West Vancouver, on Vancouver, Canada's North Shore; and in Mission, Canada:
8. Honeysuckle & Lilacs - On the Hunt for Day and Night Pollinators & Grazers, A Photographic Study in the Rain (3:21 minutes), Mission, BC, Canada – Published on YouTube Tuesday, July 29, 2015
7. Echinacea & Rudbeckia - On the Hunt for Day and Night Pollinators (4:46 minutes), Keith Road West & Lonsdale Avenue, Victoria Park, North Vancouver, BC, Canada – Published on YouTube Tuesday, July 21, 2015 Map
6. Lilies Slideshow (4:05 minutes), North Vancouver, BC, Canada – Posted on July 18, 2015
5. Orange & Wet Day (2:36 minutes), North Vancouver, BC, Canada – Posted on Saturday, July 11, 2015
4. Begonia Slide Show (2:15 minutes), North Vancouver, BC, Canada – Posted on Tuesday, June 2, 2015
3. Passion Flowers at Dusk (3:01 minutes),- My Passion Flowers are up, in full bloom, and very beautiful, North Vancouver, BC, Canada – Posted on Wednesday, June 3, 2015
2. Spring Rhapsody – A Photographic Study and Slideshow - Crickmay Park Flower Garden in the Spring (Crickmay Park (next to Harry Jerome Recreation Centre), 23rd Street & Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, BC, Canada – Posted on Tuesday, June 2, 2015
1. Rhododendron Bush - A Photographic Study and Slideshow - Rhododendron Bushes in and around North Vancouver, BC, Canada – Posted on Thursday, May 28, 2015

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  1. On a lighter side of life in BC: My Personal Blog / Web Site is: Stan G. Webb© - In retirement, now focused on very short unique video slideshows, taken at dawn, dusk, and in high contrast photographic and macroscopic (extreme close-ups) situations, with musical accompaniment. Breath Colour, Eat Colour, Feel Colour, Live Colour, See Colour, Smell Colour
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An Old Man's Wisdom: The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.” ~ Walt Disney
  • Inspired by Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram's “The Truth about Eating FullyRaw” video (16:02 minutes) ... [https://youtu.be/pSk4S1Nd__A] ... FullyRaw is the creation of Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram, a pioneer in the local, organic food co-operative movement. The founder of the largest raw, organic produce co-operative in the U.S., she has been 100% raw for over nine years. An exemplification of all that she wishes to create, she is a leading visionary in the raw movement, especially in Houston, TX. She attended both Vanderbilt University and Rice University, and she graduated from Rice University on the top 5% of her class in 2009 with a triple major in Kinesiology specializing in Health Science, Raw Foods, and Fasting. Since then, she has been involved highly in the movement of Organic Horticulture, Permaculture, and Co-operative Communities. 
  • Musical Inspiration by Lindsey Sterling, a Dubstep Violin Original My favourite is the Dubstep Violin “Elements” Original video (4:06 minutes) ... [https://youtu.be/sf6LD2B_kDQ] with 61,477,299 YouTube views; albeit “Crystallize” Original video (4:59 minutes) - another Lindsey Stirling Dubstep Violin [https://youtu.be/aHjpOzsQ9YI] has had 125,292,839 YouTube views. (Views as at July 13, 2015) Lindsey Stirling is one of the biggest artist development breakthrough stories in recent years. A classically trained violinist from Gilbert, AZ, Lindsey has entered a futurist world of electronic big beats and animation, leaping through the music industry with over 675 million views on YouTube, Billboard chart-topping hits and sold out tours worldwide. Lindsey’s self-titled debut album featured twelve original tracks; including the viral smash “Crystallize,” which has racked up over 97 million YouTube views. The album has sold over 350,000 copies in the US without the backing of a major label, and has gone platinum in Germany and gold in Poland and Switzerland. The album reached number one on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Chart and the Billboard Classical Album Chart and also peaked at #22 on the Billboard Top 200.
  • Body by Erin Guppy BA Kin. CSCS, BCRPA - Personal Trainer (Click title to view videos (3 segments each). [Flash player required]. VIDEO - Agility and Quickness ... VIDEO - Core Training ... VIDEO - Getting Out There ... VIDEO - Stability Tips “Maximize your health and wellness with a personalized and innovative approach to your fitness program! Erin achieved her Bachelor's Degree with a major in Kinesiology in 1997 from the University of Victoria. She is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and also has completed the Level 1 Sport Performance Specialist program in 2003 with Twist Conditioning Inc.”, and
  • A predecessor program by the YMCA program to “GOAL Trial Promotional Video (2:40 minutes) Group-based Physical Activity for Older Adults Trial (GOAL) ... The YMCA of Greater Vancouver, in partnership with the UBC School of Kinesiology and the Canadian Institute of Health Research, is conducting a study on older adult adherence to exercise. ... Regular physical activity is associated with a diverse range of positive physical and mental health outcomes, with the effects being particularly pronounced among older adults over the age of 65. Despite these health benefits, involvement in physical activity has been found to decline over the course of adulthood. ... With estimates suggesting that approximately 50 percent of older adults drop out or abandon physical activity programs within six months of enrollment, there is a tremendous need for sustainable interventions to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In particular, people are more likely to keep their involvement in physical activity programs if they are provided with the opportunity to exercise with others in social or group-based settings as opposed to undertaking physical activity on their own. Who can participate? Men and women over the age of 65.” About the YMCA of Greater Vancouver - The YMCA is a powerful association of men, women and children of all ages and abilities joined together by a shared commitment: to strengthen community. We accomplish this goal by helping vulnerable children and families, promoting healthy living and reducing isolation. In 2014 alone, the YMCA helped more than 115,000 children, youth, adults, families and seniors become stronger through life-enhancing programs and services. The YMCA of Greater Vancouver has been serving the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley and Sunshine Coast for 129 years and currently offers programs at 185 locations.
Please like, share, subscribe and comment here on my Webpage: Stan G. Webb© - In retirement and, on my YouTube Channel: Stan G. Webb
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