Today I read about the O. avoseta bee that “uses flower petals to make nest wallpaper…. Each nest is a multicolored, textured little cocoon — a papier-mache husk surrounding a single egg, protecting it while it develops into an adult bee;” read the rest of the article and see pictures of the beds here. What a wonderful nest to be born in!
The Challenge
I couldn’t resist the challenge of making some flower cocoons myself and got the little ladies involved. There was one rule to follow for this challenge- all items to make the cocoons must come from nature, no man-made glue or tape was allowed. So the little ladies picked flower petals and agreed on honey as the glue to stick the petals together, knowing that the bees use nectar, they thought honey was the next best thing! Then we got started making the cocoons.
Fauna found this challenge very easy; I’m guessing it’s because she used a lot of honey and doesn’t mind sticky fingers!
Araina had a little trouble with this challenge; so she designed a new iris species instead.
Denali helped with clean up. We didn’t know that huskies liked honey!
*Now to go and wash the honey out of my hair. Thanks Fauna! 
Outdoor pic for today- the little ladies have been great at tending to the garden daily.
If you are participating in Outdoor Challenge Mondays, be sure your blog link is below; if you still want to participate let me know and I’ll add you to the list.
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About
I just found your blog and would love to be included in the outdoor Monday challenge. I will post today! I will keep looking at your lovely blog too. We are dealing with quite a bit of rain here still but get out between storms.
Denali is beautiful! You ladies should work on that new Iris species, maybe there’s big money in that
The girls are too cute, I wonder if they like thinning out seedlings as much as mine do?
Beautiful! I’m getting more and more excited thinking about all the projects Luna and I will be doing when she gets a little older
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I’d love to take up the challenge if im not too late?
I’m late, but have an outdoor post!
http://www.bumblesandlight.com/2010/05/in-the-garden/
Just an FYI: glue can be made from boiling animal hide/hooves. My husband makes “hide glue” from elk and deer hides. It’s supremely stinky but very adhesive!
Yay! Another challenge! =) I was just thinking we got out even more when we had a challenge to do. Please sign us up. wonderinthewoods.worpdress.com
mmm…. What a tasty craft project!
What a great post. I love honey too. This week has been so incredibly busy with a graduation happening for my daughter. We will be here Monday complete with outdoor photo. Enjoy !
I had to click over and look at the bee’s nest…how cool is that?! Can’t wait to try this activity, too, when my boy is a wee bit older.
http://oakbeefarm.wordpress.com/2010/05/10/a-lovely-day/
The cocoon making looks like tremendous fun and the results look good enough to eat. My boys would eat them, I know! One of them sticks his whole hand in the honey jar so he would love this!
Here’s our outdoor play
http://freeflowingways.blogspot.com/2010/05/dry-mud-towers.html
I read that article about the bees–fascinating!
Ok, you know I love the husky picture
I agree you are brave! It all looks so beautiful, though.
Here’s our Monday post (husky included – hee,hee): http://frontierdreams.blogspot.com/2010/05/for-love-of-oregon.html
I just posted about our recent discoveries: http://foursquareschoolhouse.blogspot.com/2010/05/outdoor-monday-ladybugs-such.html
Honey in your hair–UGH!
The first picture is just beautiful!!!!
Claudia
http://lilmuselily.com/2010/05/11/monday-outdoors-picture/
I saw the article on the bees earlier this past week and thought of you. How cool that you made it into an activity for the girls.
love the colors and beautiful photos!
Very cute! And what an interesting bee.
Thanks for hosting the Monday outdoor challenge.
I did an outdoor post and linked back here to your blog today.
http://myyearinhaiku.blogspot.com/2010/05/photograph-by-age-4-butterfly-remains.html
Fun activity! Love the brigt colors.
What fun you had!
We’re sick with the fever, sore throat, headache yuckiness today, so no outside time even though they begged to go out. Maybe tomorrow!
Blessings,
Catherine
YUCK! That was my girls 2 weeks ago. Mean old germs, don’t they realize it’s spring and that illness is supposed to be over by now? Get better soon!
You are a brave mama! What a cool activity though.
I caught this about the bees the other day – really interesting species! I love, love, LOVE that you and the girls turned it into a science experiment. Such inspiration to come from nature!
I don’t know if it is because i know the little ladies so well, but I found this to be your funniest and cutest post yet! I was laughing and hitting Erik shoulder (Poor Erik was trying to watch 24…he we unsuccessful during this time
Of course Araina would create a new flower! So, funny!!!!
I know, their actions in this challenge really are examples of their personalities. Oh, the conversation was hilarious…..Araina was a little “woe is me, I can’t get these to stick” while dipping Stevia leaves in the honey; Fauna was all sticky and making the world around her just as sticky! She got my hair a couple times and Denali is all sticky now too! What a crazy activity!
Even better! Totally see Fauna with sticky hair and poor denali!!!!