beetalker: the secret world of bees

A recent episode of David Suzuki's The Nature of Things featured honey bees and their protector Dr. Mark Winston.

"I think of bees not for the individual things they do, but as a whole, the way they're so integrated into nature. They pollinate, they produce honey, but they have this magnificent social structure that depends on each other in order to survive. And I think that's the fundamental lesson that we take out of a beehive is how important it is to rely on each other and depend on each other and work with each other if we're going to have a successful planet."

One of his online bios describes Mark as "that rare individual, a scientist who can speak eloquently to the public." That is a serious simplification of the presence of such a compassioniate human being, but it is absolutely true. I was lucky enough to be invited to a "screening" of the show with a group of Dr. Winston's students and friends (thank you Delanie!). He is an inspiration.