Pollen Tornado!

[Dane Bramage]

Wow - saw two firsts of the season today: the blackberries are just starting to bloom, that is great - I have to hurry and pull all supers (~ 2 9-frame meds capped/hive) now so I can get the separate, monthly varietals I like to harvest here (= loads of work) AND I saw a pollen tornado, literally.  Driving past the nearby farmers fields who've put in some sort of grasses I was first struck by the haze that would appear above them with any wind.  It's been way too wet recently for that to be dust.  Then I saw how the breeze bending the tops of the grasses would pick up pollen - wow!  Now that's some thick pollen.  I thought it couldn't get better but - then I saw it - a pollen whirlwind.. or "pollen spout", pollen dust-devil, whatever  :shock:

Got allergies?  Welcome to todays worst spot in the nation!


Bees seem to like it though!

Cheers from beetopia!
Dane

[jl]

Dane,

not sure what type of pollen it is, (yellowish in color) but i had to use my windshield washer fluid this morining to go to work there was so much on my windshield.  My driveway has a yellow tint to it also.

Jeff

[Dane Bramage]

Dane,

not sure what type of pollen it is, (yellowish in color) but i had to use my windshield washer fluid this morining to go to work there was so much on my windshield.  My driveway has a yellow tint to it also.

Jeff

Are all the trees done blooming up there yet?  We get that same situation early spring here with the maples, etc.,.  It's so thick it's uncanny some years - like a curry storm!  ;)

[qa33010]

Past couple years I've watched when the pines are blooming and the wind gusts really good there seems to be greenyellow waves going through the air.

[Dane Bramage]

Gahhh - still record pollen here!!  I thought I had kicked my allergies but this is like extended innings and I'm worn out!  Riding a motorcycle thru the fields was really ill advised.  The pollen was thick it coated my eyes... and - dude - does that ever start to sting and itch when you're severely allergic to weeds/grasses!

I just saw on the evening news that the Olympic track trials are suffering as well.  Those athletes with allergies are hurt'n for certain; diminished lung capacity, wearing masks 24/7, etc. ,etc.,.  The organizers had scheduled it for this time because it is normally past the peak pollen season.  Not this year though! 

Looking at the bright side, there's smoke from all the Cali forest fires on the way... errhm :-P  maybe it will cloud the sun and cool things off?  We hit 100°F again a couple of days ago.  2000+ lightening strikes yesterday... Strange days indeed!  Ok, who incurred the wrath of God ~ fooled w/mother nature, etc., ?!?!?   :-\

I'll be inside with my beeswax candles and AC.  Someone wake me when it's over.  ;)

~Dane