Flight of the Bumblebee

Cherry

By Bee

Thu, 25 Jun 2015
  • 5403 reads
18 comments
 

In the seeming improbability of the flight of the bumblebee

one misconception was the belief that it flaps its wings 

up and down, when with rare exceptions, 

it flaps them back and forth.



The Chinese glued specks of glass to the underneath 

of these, then tracked reflected light, which proved

beyond a doubt that they do possess the capability 

of flight.



Then scientists used smoke in a wind tunnel

with high-speed cameras to observe the workings of the wings,

and concluded that bumble bee power was inefficient,

and aerodynamically speaking, with regards to being airborne,

a bumble bee wasn't cut out for the job.



Added to a considered imbalance, the left and right wings beat

independently, and the airflow around, being disconnected 

in such a separation, sets Bombus Terrestris apart, in that

instead of the finesse of better flying insects, bumblebees

need to use brute force to rise where others glide,



added to which, their cumbrous bodies must be fueled 

on considerable quantities of collected nectar

after less than energy efficient exercise.



But it's an odd myth that a bumblebee's wings are too thin

and small to gift it with the needed lift,



for though scientists have made advancement in understanding

how different kinds of airflow could generate the needed waft,

there were always those through history who more than suspected

that bumblebees could fly, because they'd seen it with their eyes,

and thought all this unnecessary research was daft.

 

Certificate U
Poem
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Art of the Diver on

Love it Bee!

Of course dear Bombus has always known the fact, as I have since early childhood, from my fascination of their independance and friendliness. Thanks for sharing this excellent piece

Rob

Submitted by Bee on

Perhaps taking notice of the observations of children would save scientists a bit of time? Thanks Art, really glad you like it.

Bee

Submitted by VeraClark on

'Allo allo. I'd cut 'indeed' and re-consider 'was totally wrong for the job.' Maybe 'wasn't cut out for the job?' The words stuck out in an otherwise sculpted piece. See what you think. Stick your tongue out if you disagree. Perhaps you could pin this line down even more - clarification wise:

Along with a possible imbalance, the left and right wings beat

independently, and the airflow around, 

 I recall your earlier one and this is so much tighter. It's a fabulous high-brow piece and a quick-speaking poem with facts that knock me flat. 

 

Submitted by Bee on

Great suggestions and feedback. Thanks so much for that, Vera.

x

Bee

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks again for the feedback Vera - have made the changes you suggest and think they work much better now - plus have fiddled with the other line you mentioned. Hope it works, too.

Bee

Submitted by Bee on

Thank you for the cherries.smiley

Bee

Submitted by VeraClark on

yes  Deffo. 

 

Submitted by Bee on

smiley

Bee

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Sitting at the top of the hill today with hubby who is in the process of trying to make a kite (Parkinson's permitting)  I was amazed at how many types of bees there were buzzing about in the clover that abounds there.  How very much we take them for granted but their numbers are declining rapidly, and it is doesn't take a genius to envisage the demise of our world, as we know it, should they cease to procreate.

A cracking poem, Bee, and just keep buzzing, ad infinitum....pleasesmiley

Tina

 

Submitted by Bee on

I know, there are loads. Sitting on top of a hill, how refreshing. Hope the kite got finished. Glad you liked the poem - and re keep buzzing - I'll really try.smiley

x

Bee

Submitted by Stephen Thom on

ah this is fantastic! but ah, I don't have the necessary diction to describe how it read - think vera says it best with 'high-brow and quick-speaking'! think there was layers within layers here but it's the rattle of diction and interest that first jumps out. something different and marvellously enjoyable - 'The Chinese glued specks of glass to the underneath /of bumblebees' yes yes

 

Submitted by Bee on

Thank you Stephen. Really glad you enjoyed it. 

X

Bee

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Bee

I enjoyed reading this again, and agree with Vera that this version is better.  Well done.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks for remembering, Jean. I have worked hard on this one. I have a feeling it will never be finished. 

Bee

Submitted by Ed Crane on

I like the idea of putting scientific discussions into a poem. Would have made my school lessons interesting.

If it's true, one of the most sensible things (perhaps the only one) Adolf Hitler is supposed to have said was something like, the reason a Bumble Bee can fly is because it doesn't know it can't.

Edx

 

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks Ed. That would have made school more interesting, had I gone - which I didn't that much - probably obvious!!!

Quite witty for Hitler, really. Hate to say it, but I like it. 

x

Bee

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Brilliant. Cuts right through the you-know-what.

Parson Thru

Submitted by Bee on

Ha ha! I do, thanks PT.

Bee