‘Nicotine’ (neonicotinoid) is bad for bees too

Nicotine-like substances aren't just bad for humans, they're bad for bees too, especially when it comes to producing more queen bees – the ‘super moms’ of the colonies.

The fate of bees and other insects is important because about a third of the food we eat, one bite in every three, depends on insects.

New research is helping us to understand how these chemicals harm bumblebees.

Want to learn more? Read the rest of the post over at Wild City.

 http://bunchfamily.ca/nicotine-neonicotinoid-bad-bees/

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Buried or Frozen: How Animals Survive Winter

We are back in the deep freeze - again!

Ever wonder how "cold-blooded" animals survive? Check out this Wild City post to learn some of their strategies (and don't forget to watch the amazing video linked to the last line of the post).

http://bunchfamily.ca/how-animals-survive-winter/

The amazing Wood Frog! Photo: KEN SPROULE

How Salt Affects Ice - and the Wild City

We are back in the deep freeze ...

Happily we found something fun to do by combining Play Science and Wild City. Have a read to find out about simple experiments and how salt affects ice (and nature).

http://bunchfamily.ca/experiment-salt-affects-ice/

Find Your Winter Wonderland

Winter has hit my neck of the woods pretty hard already ... and I know that many people have experienced similar (or worse) conditions. Here is a little Wild City post meant to inspire you to find ways to survive, and even enjoy the wintery weather.

http://bunchfamily.ca/find-winter-wonderland/

LESLIE STREET SPIT. PHOTO: DEBBIE BUEHLER

Toronto's Winter Owls!

Winter Owls are around us, even in the big city, and there are reasons why they are hard to see (and hear). I explain in my latest post for Bunch:

http://bunchfamily.ca/winter-owls-wild-city/

Photo: Tianna Burke

Engaging Young Scientists: Neuroscience for Kids!

The next time your kid whines "WHY do I have to go to bed?" (or you need to stop yourself from pulling an all nighter) -- answer with science!

I write about a cool new initative to engage kids in science (and peer review) over at Bunch:
http://bunchfamily.ca/engaging-next-wave-of-young-scientists/

Fall Reveals the Squirrels' World

Love 'em or hate 'em squirrels are all around our wild city and fall gives us the opportunity to learn more about their world. I wrote a bit about it for Bunch.

http://bunchfamily.ca/fall-reveals-squirrels-world/

Photo: G. H. HOLT

Salmon in Scarborough: Back to Highland Creek

This piece, posted as part of my Wild City series, tells about salmon in Scarborough's Highland Creek, and is also a tribute to my dad.

http://bunchfamily.ca/highland-creek-salmon-run/

Just Breathe at the Riverdale Ponds

How often do you think about your breathing? How about your child's breathing?

Recently I thought about breathing quite a lot.

Read more at my latest Bunch post:
http://bunchfamily.ca/riverdale-ponds/

Photo: Debbie Buehler

Farewell Summer Dragonflies and Damselflies

I say farewell to this year's dragonflies and damselflies, and give out a few fun facts about these prehistoric creatures - like the fact that the secret of baby dragonfly hunting is butt propulsion!

Read the whole post here:
http://bunchfamily.ca/dragonflies-and-damselflies/

Photo: Ken Sproule