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Bees Stop Flying During Total Solar Eclipses (smithsonianmag.com)

A new study published by the Entomological Society of America found that bees stop flying when the moon obstructs the sun during a total solar eclipse. "Using tiny microphones suspended among flowers, the team recorded the buzzing of the bees through all stages of the eclipse," reports Smithsonian Magazine. "The bees were active and noisy right up to the last moments before totality, the part of a total solar eclipse when the moon blocks all direct sunlight, and a night-like darkness settles over the land. As totality hit, the bees went totally silent in unison." From the report: The clear drop from buzzing to silence was the most striking change during the eclipse, but additional, smaller changes in the bees' buzzing could give the researchers clues about how the insects responded. As ecologist Candace Galen of the University of Missouri notes, the bees' buzzes lasted longer as it gradually got darker approaching totality. Increased buzz length suggests the bees started flying more slowly, they were taking longer flights, or some combination of both.

"The way I think about it is, if you're driving on a road and it gets foggy, you slow down," explains Galen. When there is less visibility, slowing down helps you process information and maintain situational awareness -- and like the bees did during totality, if there's absolutely zero visibility, you should probably pull over. Adjusting speed to acclimate one's senses to an environment that suddenly shifts is a common behavior in many animals, and it's been observed in bees when they fly before sunrise or sunset.

86 comments

  1. Really? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This is common knowledge to anyone who keeps bees.

    1. Re:Really? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Thank you for enriching the conversation with your comment, you have really added to the discourse.

    2. Re:Really? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Seriously... anyone who has ever experienced a solar eclipse know this is true-- animals act like it is becoming night, then they act like it is becoming morning.

      “It was like someone turned out the lights and bees stopped flying,”

      No fucking shit. That is exactly what happened.

    3. Re:Really? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There is no conversation to enrich.

      Seeing as that's significantly different from what is being implied (i.e. there is a discourse to be had), then, pointing a significant detail of clarity is valuable, if not critical. You're welcome, AC who didn't know.

      My civility only has sarcasm directly proportional to your ignorance. If you were sincerely oblivious to the triviality here (unlike all other other posts pointing it out) I helped.

      - Different AC

    4. Re:Really? by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      Seriously... anyone who has ever experienced a solar eclipse know this is true-- animals act like it is becoming night, then they act like it is becoming morning.

      “It was like someone turned out the lights and bees stopped flying,”

      No fucking shit. That is exactly what happened.

      Chillaxe homie. There are probably a lot of people who spend so much tie looking at the eclipse they forget to look around them and see what else is happening.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    5. Re:Really? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Listen.
      Do you hear that sound?
      That's the sound of a big black cock impregnating your wife.

    6. Re:Really? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There are many things which are "common knowledge" which are true. There are also many items of "common knowledge" which are false. Therefore the fact of something being "common knowledge" is of little value to the dispassionate observer in trying to determine the truth. In fact false supposed common knowledge is much harder to overcome than a simple absence of knowledge; witness for example the still ongoing battle to try to stop people from treating viral illness with antibiotics, or the anti-vaxxer movement. This is why it is of great value to do science on a subject even when, or especially when there exists supposed common knowledge regarding the subject.

  2. Not just Bees by thegarbz · · Score: 3, Informative

    All wildlife doesn't seem to cope with a total solar eclipse. We saw some really strange things during the last one. Firstly there was dead silence. Birds stopped flying, they actually stopped making sound completely. Also kangaroos were freaked out. They congregated in a common area and huddled together. I've not seen anything quite like it.

    1. Re: Not just Bees by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Who says animals have no common sense

    2. Re:Not just Bees by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      One could suggest humans behave in the same manner, perhaps for different reasons. Although some portions of the story are probably apocryphal, combat during the Battle of Halys halted due to an eclipse. The result was the two opponents agreeing to a peace treaty.

    3. Re:Not just Bees by Evtim · · Score: 1

      I have read claims that battles were won by people who knew an eclipse would occur and scare the enemies who did not know what's going on...though how reliable such accounts are is impossible to say..

    4. Re: Not just Bees by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Donald TRUMP ate my kangaroo!!

    5. Re: Not just Bees by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Trump looked up and the Sun blinked.

    6. Re:Not just Bees by Nidi62 · · Score: 1

      One could suggest humans behave in the same manner, perhaps for different reasons. Although some portions of the story are probably apocryphal, combat during the Battle of Halys halted due to an eclipse. The result was the two opponents agreeing to a peace treaty.

      Well, it makes sense when you realize that eclipses and comets were seen as acts of god(s). So if you are fighting and an eclipse happens a reasonable* assumption is that god is displeased with the fighting. Hell, Constantine seeing a sun dog is partially responsible for why Europe became Christian. It's amazing to see how people's interpretations of natural events has shaped world history.

      *reasonable within the belief system

      --
      The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
    7. Re:Not just Bees by jellomizer · · Score: 0

      Well most animals have evolved around the Daily Earth rotation so it is light for on average 12 hours a day and dark for 12 hours a day, fluctuation based on latitude are gradual, so most species can adapt to it.
      However Solar eclipses are rare occurrences and occur for such a short time, so animals who have a routine based on sunlight, will have their instincts confused. Because of its rarity and it in general harmlessness, there hasn't been much if any evolution in adapting to this, so there is a general caution instinct that just kicks in. Being that it effects all types of animals, predators and prey, means there isn't any evolutionary advantage needed for a species to adapt to it.
      It is too short and to rare for a predator to take advantage of it, to hunt down all those stunned animals. And being most predators are stunned, prey have no reason to find a way to defend against potential risks of their normal caution.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    8. Re: Not just Bees by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And unlike animals who naturally won't look into the Sun, Trump choose to stair directly at it.

      Behold the typical "progressive" who believes he's smarter than everyone else.

      How are you going to win any elections after Kanye helps blacks get off the Democrat thought plantation and you no longer get 95% of the black vote in the US?

    9. Re:Not just Bees by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Are there data that show that animals behave differently in an eclipse and when a dark cloud passes in front of the Sun? Just to make sure that this eclipse thing is real and not just mysticism and sensationalism.

    10. Re:Not just Bees by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I was also in totality in 8/2017, and birds and insects continued as if nothing had changed. I was standing there thinking "where's the radically different behavior in the animals I was promised???" Most disappointing solar event of my life.

    11. Re:Not just Bees by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      All wildlife doesn't seem to cope with a total solar eclipse. We saw some really strange things during the last one. Firstly there was dead silence. Birds stopped flying, they actually stopped making sound completely. Also kangaroos were freaked out. They congregated in a common area and huddled together. I've not seen anything quite like it.

      Its not terribly surprising, but it is definitely a cool phenomenon. One of the things I do during the leadup to an eclipse is check out the shadows from leaves and branches. You get multiple shadows. The light looks like regular daylight, but massively subdued. Regular light levels like that tend to be more orange colored.

      I always wondered why ancients feared eclipses so much.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    12. Re:Not just Bees by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A "dark cloud" doesn't get anywhere close to the change in light levels from an eclipse. The local phenomenon that comes closest to eclipse level shielding were the heavy ashclouds caused by some large forest fires and some populations using very sooty fuel for their fires (an exceptionally dirty volcano eruption might cause one as well). No one in their right minds wants to even hear of another one of those happening, but if one does, I'm sure you will find some zoologists and biologists who will gladly set up microphones and cameras to observe how a region's wildlife reacts to it.

    13. Re:Not just Bees by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      Well, it makes sense when you realize that eclipses and comets were seen as acts of god(s). So if you are fighting and an eclipse happens a reasonable* assumption is that god is displeased with the fighting. Hell, Constantine seeing a sun dog is partially responsible for why Europe became Christian. It's amazing to see how people's interpretations of natural events has shaped world history.

      *reasonable within the belief system

      Also possible that the pause made them ask themselves "What the hell are we doing?"

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    14. Re:Not just Bees by Kjella · · Score: 1

      I always wondered why ancients feared eclipses so much.

      You think too much as a modern human who knows the Earth is orbiting the Sun and when it's not there it's simply under the horizon and an eclipse is just the Moon intersecting. The sun god and rain god are cornerstones of all naturalistic religions, one was dependable and one was fickle. They prayed for the sun to rise again in the morning and for summer to follow winter but it always did, unlike droughts and other maladies the sun god always brought light, warmth and life. Remember a total eclipse is like once a century, if they'd heard of the sun god getting angry at all it would be apocryphal stories. If he's now angry with you, that should freak you out...

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    15. Re:Not just Bees by Ecuador · · Score: 1

      I know what you mean, I also made it to the last total eclipse and all kangaroos must have been huddled together somewhere, cause we couldn't see any of them!

      --
      Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Polar Scope Align for iOS
    16. Re:Not just Bees by Dragonslicer · · Score: 1

      I always wondered why ancients feared eclipses so much.

      If you haven't read Nightfall (Isaac Asimov and Rober Silverberg), you should check it out.

    17. Re:Not just Bees by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      I always wondered why ancients feared eclipses so much.

      If you haven't read Nightfall (Isaac Asimov and Rober Silverberg), you should check it out.

      I'm afraid my fear gland is just not up to snuff, as several people relate.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    18. Re:Not just Bees by Dragonslicer · · Score: 1

      It's not a horror story at all, it's a science fiction story.

  3. Of course by hcs_$reboot · · Score: 1

    Nothing like taking a good break, eat some honey and watch an amazing spectacle!

    --
    Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
    1. Re:Of course by antdude · · Score: 1

      Winnie, is that you?

      --
      Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
  4. Lazy bees by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I worked during the last eclipse

  5. how is the polarization of light during total ecl by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ... as bees use polarized light for navigation that may be the key.....Read Randolf Menzel

  6. Someone spent time and money on this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It usual darkness takes about an hour from direct sunlight to total darkness, I can see how it confuses all wildlife. More confusing is how this happens during the day and takes about 15 minutes. The reason why all wild life stop is because they are bending over kissing their ass goodbye.

  7. Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and a night-like darkness settles over the land

    Having been less than 100 meters from the exact center of totality at the last eclipse, I have to imagine whoever wrote that has never actually seen an eclipse. I would call it "dusk-like", as in, I would definitely liken it to the late part of civil twilight or early part of nautical twilight, but nobody sane would liken it to night. Unless maybe you didn't know what night was.

  8. Re:I agree to a large extent... apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Wow, you posted THAT lunatic rant on an article about animals and solar eclipses? Seek professional help. You need it.

    If a solar eclipse makes animals stop what they're dong, would a solar eclipse also make trolls like you stop trolling?

  9. I waited for you to show up pussy.. apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Who's pissing down their leg "Forrest CHUMP" https://mobile.slashdot.org/co... ? You are https://mobile.slashdot.org/co... & I waited for HOURS.

    * You PITIFUL disgusting little prick that HIDES behind UNIDENTIFIABLE anonymous posts to harass me OR you IMPERSONATING me is the "best ya got"? You're welcome to replay that anytime today - name the time, I'll be here ready to beat your fucking WEASEL FACE in fucker.

    See subject Problem is, you never SHOWED UP pussy punk that you are.

    That's ALL anyone needed to see - & I notice you "downmod HID" my post - YOU don't want THAT seen (exposing your TRUE cowardly worm self WEASEL - lol).

    APK

    P.S.=> "Run, Forrest: RUN!!!" - & 1 thing I have faith in? You'll fuckup one day (you always fuckup vs. me, but rather you'll SLIP & I'll find out WHO & WHERE YOU ARE), like the FUCKUP LOSER you are & then?? I'll be ON YOU like WHITE ON RICE (bank on it fucker) - you need to have your skull fractured for a lesson apparently... apk

    1. Re:I waited for you to show up pussy.. apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, I just don't like offtopic spam and I wish Slashdot would do more to curtail it. You are a contributor to the problem, especially when you repost lengthy offtopic posts that have been modded down like in this thread. Neither codes of conduct nor your angry rant have any relevance to bees and solar eclipses. Your -1 moderation was justified just like it would be appropriate to moderate this comment as such. As for my comment about you seeking professional help, your post exhibits extreme anger. That can't be healthy for you or those around you. And no, I have no interest in flying from the Plains to Syracuse to meet some angry guy on the internet. No thanks.

  10. I waited for you to show up pussy.. apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Who's pissing down their leg "Forrest CHUMP" https://mobile.slashdot.org/co... ? You are https://mobile.slashdot.org/co... & I waited for HOURS.

    * You PITIFUL disgusting little prick that HIDES behind UNIDENTIFIABLE anonymous posts to harass me OR you IMPERSONATING me is the "best ya got"? You're welcome to replay that anytime today - name the time, I'll be here ready to beat your fucking WEASEL FACE in fucker.

    See subject Problem is, you never SHOWED UP pussy punk that you are.

    That's ALL anyone needed to see - & I notice you "downmod HID" my post - YOU don't want THAT seen (exposing your TRUE cowardly worm self WEASEL - lol).

    APK

    P.S.=> "Run, Forrest: RUN!!!" - & 1 thing I have faith in? You'll fuckup one day (you always fuckup vs. me, but rather you'll SLIP & I'll find out WHO & WHERE YOU ARE), like the FUCKUP LOSER you are & then?? I'll be ON YOU like WHITE ON RICE (bank on it fucker) - you need to have your skull fractured for a lesson apparently... apk

  11. Re: I was there, GAYpk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Where the hell were you? There was a very confused older lady that answered the door.

  12. I agree to a large extent... apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I agree to a large extent & can't believe Linus Torvald's "knuckled under" to a pack of punks that bitch but contribute or do zero of good quality/worth!

    * FUCK anyone that pulls that "CoC"/Social JUST US bullshit - they're fucking losers.

    Want some 'say' how things are DONE? Starting DOING GOOD THINGS. Then you clearly HAVE SAY as you DID something worthwhile others like & use.

    It's that simple.

    As far as "not arguing"?

    I do NOT agree w/ that & I find THAT aspect of what you said deceitful & underhanded!

    Man, especially in the USA - don't be afraid to speak YOUR MIND, ever. Especially if/when YOU are the 'labor' you noted behind an effort & can BACK YOURSELF w/ UNDENIABLE facts (especially vs. Social JUST US nonsensical lies that DEFY COMMON-SENSE)...

    Why? You actually CONTRIBUTE to the GENERAL GOOD & have that right & the fact it's YOUR WORK, not anyone else's so they can go take a flying "F", because you are dead-on RIGHT on 1 thing:

    Minus developer's efforts, the Social JUST US losers are zero (less than zero actually - they're ZEROS already). They don't LIKE THAT? Do it yourself then HELPLESS HENRY - see how far you get & how difficult it is doing actual work that takes BRAINS (not just hot blowhard air complaints).

    PUT IT THIS WAY:

    An asshole threatened me here yesterday & has been STALKING ME by UNIDENTIFIABLE anonymous posts for YEARS (as well as IMPERSONATING me to LIBEL me or to TRY "make me look bad").

    I told him STRAIGHT OUT "Name the time & place & we can have this out, face to face/man to man" (though he HIDES behind UNIDENTIFIABLE anonymous posts like the WORM BITCH he is)!

    He said "your place" & started saying "APK is AFRAID to show is home address" - yea? BIG mistake.

    https://mobile.slashdot.org/co...

    I waited for HOURS & no-show from that NO BALLS PUSSY WORM.

    See - I don't try "pretend" to be anything more than a normal guy who has limits to his patience & everyone has limits until the bs of "civillity" are reached & you say "FUCK YOU" (especially when constantly STALKED or IMPERSONATED as I have been here for years) - I hit mine last night.

    HOWEVER - when the SHIT HIT THE FAN?

    The little BITCH who's been STALKING &/or IMPERSONATING me CAVED IN & never showed up- showing you their "Character" (lack of it).

    Cocksucker won't even STAND BEHIND HIS WORDS (but I will mine & yes, I would beat the FUCK out of anyone doing what the little CUNT's being doing my way - no problem).

    Again: I don't do what LOSERS & LIARS do in trying to "pretend" to be something I am not - but assholes, do!

    (... & they HIDE while doing it either behind FAKE NAMES online meaning they have something to HIDE or are nobody loser do-nothings imo OR they STALK ME by UNIDENTIFIABLE anonymous posts proving they are WEASELS & PUNKS).

    APK

    P.S.=> I've never believed in TRYING to "fit in" (especially to some political SHITBAG's view/idea of "how it should be") to a crowd based on a line of bullshit OR kowtowing to some ARTIFICIALLY CREATED (by sockpuppetry attempts @ PEER PRESSURE) "group think" crap (especially when it IS crap) hiding who YOU really are & instead being what Charlie Sheen called a "PLASTIC WORM" (loved him during his 'crazy period' because he WAS SO HONEST DURING IT) so, No - I don't GO for that shit, because it's PURE BULLSHIT trying to "push you around" via FAKE "peer pressure" for some agenda created by FLAKES & LOSERS - & neither should you (or anyone else)... apk

  13. It's not just bees by Trailer+Trash · · Score: 1

    My wife, her mother, and I drove an hour and a half to be right on the center line and get the full two and a half minutes. When the eclipse came, we quit moving and just stood there staring at the moon. Same with the 4 other people near us.

    Maybe I can get some grant money to study this next time?

    1. Re:It's not just bees by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      My wife, her mother, and I drove an hour and a half to be right on the center line and get the full two and a half minutes. When the eclipse came, we quit moving and just stood there staring at the moon. Same with the 4 other people near us.

      Maybe I can get some grant money to study this next time?

      I'll give you tree fiddy!

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    2. Re:It's not just bees by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My wife, her mother, and I drove an hour and a half to be right on the center line and get the full two and a half minutes. When the eclipse came, we quit moving and just stood there staring at the moon. Same with the 4 other people near us.

      Maybe I can get some grant money to study this next time?

      I'll give you tree fiddy!

      I ain't giving you no tree-fiddy, you goddamn Loch Ness Monster!

  14. There is no "old lady" HERE liar... apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There is no "old lady" HERE liar & you said nobody answered my door https://mobile.slashdot.org/co... ? Come over now then.

    * I would LOVE TO START MY DAY by putting you in the hospital fucker...

    APK

    P.S.=> I'll be waiting bigmouth bullshitter liar you are that STALKS me by UNIDENTIFIABLE anonymous posts LIBELING me etc. OR your IMPERSONATING me too to TRY do the same - I have a different method in person you will NOT like WEASEL (guaranteed) that I am more than ready to apply to your head... apk

  15. But did you see the mystery red? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    of the total solar eclipse? The red light that appears in the limb of the moon?

    For this reason, God sends them a powerful delusion(operation of wandering)(planet) so that they will believe the lie.
    ipfs.io

  16. Not surprising by sootman · · Score: 1

    I was in the path of totality last year. During the moments it was dark, bugs (cicadas or something) started making all their usual dusk noises, but just for that couple of minutes.

    --
    Dear Slashdot: next time you want to mess with the site, add a rich-text editor for comments.
    1. Re:Not surprising by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I was in the path of totality last year. During the moments it was dark, bugs (cicadas or something) started making all their usual dusk noises, but just for that couple of minutes.

      I was across the road from a wet area and it exploded with frogs croaking. Birds fell silent and people gasp.

      As a beekeeper this is interesting, Bees on flowers would tend to return to the hive during poor weather but they will sleep in place if caught in a quick rain. Seems like they were bedding down for the night since flying at night is not their thing. But even in the hive in winter (darkness inside) there is a light buzzing if the hive is knocked on.

      Great way to get kids involved!

    2. Re:Not surprising by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      I was in the path of totality last year. During the moments it was dark, bugs (cicadas or something) started making all their usual dusk noises, but just for that couple of minutes.

      Katydids, I'll bet. But another cool thing.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    3. Re:Not surprising by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I heard crickets making noise during the August 2017 eclipse, they stopped once the sun came back out. Dogs started barking too, but that may have just been due to how people were reacting.

  17. Yet you "stand behind your words" ac (lol) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    See subject: YOU by comparison? HIDE behind your UNIDENTIFIABLE anonymous posts like the PUNK you are fucker. Especially after YEARS of me being STALKED by weak losers like you OR IMPERSONATED by "your kind" - the online SHITWEASEL.

    Care to debate that? You PROVE it for me so GOOD LUCK that.

    I also don't give a FLYING F what YOU want (how's it FEEL to want bitch?) either as I didn't post the parent but I largely AGREE w/ it & I said how/why/where I did (or didn't).

    Why?

    You have NO BALLS, you're ALL TALK (nothing more, a do-nothing CHATTERING "ne'er-do-well" BLOWHARD loser punk) & you KNOW it proving it for all to see.

    APK

    P.S.=> Don't like that? Ok - FAIRLY, & Like I said: You wanted my address & said YOU would come here to face me man to man - you PROVE you're not a man & what I call a "not man" whimp - period: Don't like that? LIKE I SAID - come on over, we'll SETTLE it once & for all face to face fuckweasel... apk

    1. Re: Yet you "stand behind your words" ac (lol) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We have already been through this. There is no reason for that guy to fly in when I drove there from the city and found nothing but a confused old lady.

  18. How about the mystery red? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Did you see it?

    ipfs.io and click the Blood link.

  19. Yes we have & you RAN bitch... apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yes we have & you RAN bitch (I love exposing you in it seeing you try "weasel out" now, lol) https://mobile.slashdot.org/co...

    * You also said NOBODY ANSWERED THE DOOR too liar https://mobile.slashdot.org/co...

    (Live w/ this all punk - you brought it on yourself)

    APK

    P.S.=> HOWEVER since you have NO BALLS, won't stand behind your words IDENTIFYING Yourself either? Every time you pull your crap my way, not only will I do my USUAL & destroy you w/ technical facts you can't beat stupid, I'll THROW THIS YOUR WAY again too EMBARASSING you (nothing NEW for "your kind" is it? Nope - just happened AGAIN now)... apk

  20. Time to catch you in ANOTHER LIE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What city is that? "when I drove there from the city and found nothing but a confused old lady." by NO BALLS Anonymous Coward on Friday October 12, 2018 @09:55AM (#57466790)

    * AMAZING - because a drive from NYC would take 4-5 hrs. (even speeding you can't beat it by much) & I posted my reply to you to come over @ 6 p.m or so... I waited until midnite.

    YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A LYING NO BALLS WEASEL & YOU KNOW IT - so does everyone else now.

    APK

    P.S.=> You live with this fucker & EVERYTIME You pull your shit? OUT THIS ALL COMES again to SHAME & EXPOSE YOU (since you won't let me beat your face in for STALKING me by UNIDENTIFIABLE anonymous posts OR IMPERSONATING ME like you do to try to "make me look bad" by LIBELING me fucker - now you are on the receiving end of YOUR bullshit from now on)... apk

  21. Hmmm by CrimsonAvenger · · Score: 1

    A quick check finds that bees don't tend to fly at night (absent a variety of parasites that screw up their lives to the point of killing them).

    Do night and solar eclipses have anything in common? Oh, yeah! It's dark then!

    So perhaps the bees aren't flying because their tiny little bee-brains are looking out, seeing darkness, checking core programming, and stopping the whole flying thing till it's not so dark....

    --

    "I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
    1. Re:Hmmm by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      So perhaps the bees aren't flying because their tiny little bee-brains are looking out, seeing darkness, checking core programming, and stopping the whole flying thing till it's not so dark....

      And stopped buzzing as well. Basically an unexpected change in input. Interesting issues are what does this do to their internal clocks. Anyhow, it's pretty interesting to some of us, once you get past the basic concept of "It's dark, so it's night".

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
  22. Why people freaked out by sjbe · · Score: 1

    I always wondered why ancients feared eclipses so much.

    Because they didn't happen often in their experience, they had no way to predict them, and they are pretty freaky. People tend to fear what they don't understand which you should know unless you've been living under a rock. There hasn't been a totality that passed over where I live in my lifetime and even the partials weren't generally notable. If you were living in an age where you didn't have access to libraries and internet and didn't get to travel much, chances are reasonable you'd kind of freak out too. Look how many people freaked out about the SpaceX launch this past week on the west coast and it wasn't hard to find out what was going on.

    I had the good fortune to see the 2017 eclipse in Wyoming and it was AWESOME but I do get how it could really scare the crap out of someone who didn't know it could or would happen.

    1. Re:Why people freaked out by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      I always wondered why ancients feared eclipses so much.

      Because they didn't happen often in their experience, they had no way to predict them, and they are pretty freaky. People tend to fear what they don't understand which you should know unless you've been living under a rock.

      My noggin runs differently. I'm super interested in what I don't understand. Besides, I'm afraid of rocks 8^)

      Look how many people freaked out about the SpaceX launch this past week on the west coast and it wasn't hard to find out what was going on.

      That's terribly sad, don't you think? But your point is well made.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
  23. Saw the eclipse on a farm, interesting reactions by ToTheStars · · Score: 2

    I saw the 2017 eclipse from my uncle's farm, and it was definitely worth the trouble (and the traffic afterwards) -- not ten minutes after it was over, we (other family gathered there) were already excited for 2024! Definitely an unearthly experience, and being on a farm, I got to see lots of animals reacting to the eclipse (as well as being awed myself, even though I knew it was coming -- I can only imagine how it must have felt to people who didn't know what was happening).

    All the chickens ran into the coop, and when the eclipse was over, the rooster crowed.

    All the gnats went to ground, which was very nice because I'd been swatting them all afternoon leading up to the eclipse (and would have been very cross if one had distracted me during totality).

    My uncle had been worried that his goats might freak out, because they didn't like being left outside for too long after sunset, but they didn't seem concerned (maybe it was short enough that they didn't regard it as 'night time' the way the other critters did).

    By far the funniest reaction was that of a neighboring farmer (as my aunt explained it to me), who was frantically asking for pairs of eclipse glasses for all of her animals -- "What if they look at the sun???" Fortunately, my aunt managed to explain to her that the animals would be okay -- us humans were the only critters dumb enough to look at the sun while it was out!

  24. Re:how is the polarization of light during total e by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Bees see well intro the ultraviolet as well. During totality the bees are presented with several different stimuli that are out of place. The temperature drops suddenly, wind patterns change, light levels change both in the visible (to us) and UV. It does not get totally dark, however. The bees could fly if they desired. In my view, they are reacting to external stimuli in a normal way as they need to be able to find their hive after loosing important navigational information (the direction of the sun). A helicopter pilot who is flying by reference to visual objects only would be wise to make a precautionary off field landing should weather conditions develop to preclude continuing to fly with reference to visual objects. This is very likely what the bees did.

  25. Re: I agree to a large extent... apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Man, you are just a raging homosexual.

  26. To whoever downmod hid my post? apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "YOU, better WAKE UP: The world you live in is just a sugar-coated topping. There is another world BENEATH it http://thecount.com/2018/10/11... [thecount.com] THE REAL WORLD - & if you want to SURVIVE IT, you better LEARN, TO PULL, THE TRIGGER..." - Blade

    * I live in THAT terrible world + have MORE THAN SURVIVED in it shown in that link & always have (except for when I travelled for years for work city to city for 20++ yrs.) - it would EAT YOU ALIVE punk.

    Especially after your PUSSY BULLSHIT here I shame you with (thanks for letting me do THAT @ least - better than putting you in a morgue) https://news.slashdot.org/comm...

    APK

    P.S.=> "You're useless" - BLADE (& you're a LYING piece of TRASH pussy punk talker)... apk

    1. Re:To whoever downmod hid my post? apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You seem to have a hard time understanding or accepting that the content of your posts has nothing to do with the story. You are generally being modded down for being offtopic. Your opinions on codes of conduct and other Slashdot users have zero to do with the behavior of bees during a total solar eclipse. Although your toxic reputation does you no favors at all, a -1 offtopic moderation would have been justified for anyone posting what you did. Why do you believe that you should be immune from being modded offtopic when your posts are, in fact, offtopic?

      Even if you believe you're the victim of incivility, that doesn't justify you escalating that type of behavior. You've made a number of violent threats over the past few days (e.g., https://mobile.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=12736700&cid=57465070) and that type of behavior has no place on Slashdot or anywhere else. Many people have raised serious concerns about your mental health, suggesting that you suffer from issues like narcissistic personality disorder. If you're as angry as your posts indicate, for your sake and that of the people around you, please seek professional help.

  27. To whoever downmod hid my post? apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "YOU, better WAKE UP: The world you live in is just a sugar-coated topping. There is another world BENEATH it http://thecount.com/2018/10/11... THE REAL WORLD - & if you want to SURVIVE IT, you better LEARN, TO PULL, THE TRIGGER..." - Blade

    * I live in THAT terrible world + have MORE THAN SURVIVED in it shown in that link & always have (except for when I travelled for years for work city to city for 20++ yrs.) - it would EAT YOU ALIVE punk.

    Especially after your PUSSY BULLSHIT here I shame you with (thanks for letting me do THAT @ least - better than putting you in a morgue) https://news.slashdot.org/comm...

    APK

    P.S.=> "You're useless" - BLADE (& you're a LYING piece of TRASH pussy punk talker)... apk

  28. You need to read this & understand... apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "YOU, better WAKE UP: The world you live in is just a sugar-coated topping. There is another world BENEATH it http://thecount.com/2018/10/11... THE REAL WORLD - & if you want to SURVIVE IT, you better LEARN, TO PULL, THE TRIGGER..." - Blade

    * I live in THAT terrible world + have MORE THAN SURVIVED in it shown in that link & always have (except for when I travelled for years for work city to city for 20++ yrs.) - it would EAT YOU ALIVE punk.

    Especially after your PUSSY BULLSHIT here I shame you with (thanks for letting me do THAT @ least - better than putting you in a morgue) https://news.slashdot.org/comm...

    APK

    P.S.=> "You're useless" - BLADE (& you're a LYING piece of TRASH pussy punk talker)... apk

    1. Re: You need to read this & understand... apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What the hell are you talking about? You watch movies and think they are real?

  29. I never knew that & helped keep 20 hives by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I never knew that & helped keep 20 hives @ the corner of my parent's property my grandparents kept there when I was 8-13 yrs. of age (learned about pulling honeycombs & smoking the bees out via bellows to 'tranquilize' them (makes them 'blind' to mama's signals to KILL)).

    * LOL - 1 time, my cousin Frank & I ate a bunch of straight FRESH honeycomb (w/ royal jelly too, tastes funny imo) & we got SICK AS HELL from too much sugar (after going 'freak' 1st & 'coming down' HARD after)...

    They "swarmed" & overwhelmed our home once (real HOT day) & it scared the hell out of me (they would not let me help pull them off that time - too dangerous).

    APK

    P.S.=> Before I was a city dweller I lived in the country & had that experience - but I know 1 thing & it scares me: IF the bees go? I bet WE DO TOO (they are huge pollinators for the food supply)... apk

  30. Much Stupid. So Dumb! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Well this is just great. You are so dumb you set yourself up for abuse.

    Big Giant Orange Head has said so many dumb things, I think mocking him is more than justified. Also, his empty-headed and/or hypocritical supporters. In case you weren't keeping track, this does not include "everyone".

    Kanye is going to lead black voters? Really? Kanye West?? Did you hear his rambling speech in the White House? He literally talked about his mental health issues right in the middle of it. This is a guy who has ego issues at the best of times, and he's cozying up to the party that has cozied up to the Klan and neo-Nazis. That performance was classic Kanye, do something outrageous and get publicity, maybe his music sales will get a boost.

    But do carry on being complacent, we like it.

  31. It's called an analogy... apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    See subject & this is REAL (I live in it) http://thecount.com/2018/10/11... - you punks behind your UNIDENTIFIABLE anonymous bullshit would be near INSTANTLY destroyed acting as you do...

    * ... & I'm just TRYING (though you & "your kind", doubtless soft creampuff SUBURBAN PUNKS aren't worth my effort) to help you + PERHAPS via a medium you'd understand (or would you prefer classical literature OR scripture I DOUBT you've read instead) & a common-ground in film.

    (You? You have NO IDEA what you're dealing with f'ing w/ me or those LIKE me - but, then again, I think you do - it's the why of WHY You "HIDE" from me...)

    APK

    P.S.=> You're a fool & dull in the brain if you didn't "catch my drift"... apk

    1. Re:It's called an analogy... apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Fat ass virgin in Moms basement is triggered again. Fuck off back under your rock APK, you useless spamming Cunt.

  32. Tough to explain by sjbe · · Score: 1

    My noggin runs differently. I'm super interested in what I don't understand. Besides, I'm afraid of rocks 8^)

    Umm, they didn't know it was a rock back then. Not for certain anyway. And an eclipse isn't a rock - it's an entire world traveling at terrifying speed going in front of and blocking the light on our world from a giant ball of gas undergoing nuclear fusion millions of kilometers away through the void of space. Good luck explaining what is actually happening to someone a thousand years ago without sounding like a lunatic. I appreciate your scientific fervor and world view but not everyone thinks like that and we are fortunate to live in an era where such information is readily available.

    That's terribly sad, don't you think?

    I just think of them as one of the lucky 10000. Bear in mind that not everyone is smart or mentally stable or well informed or cares. A lot of people are paranoid or just scared. A lot of people believe in imaginary beings because a book told them they were real. I'd say cut them some slack and try to educate those who can be educated.

  33. GAY FAKE NEWS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How is this RETARDATION even considered news? The bees respond to a nighttime stimulus. How many bees do you see flying at night? This site is so GAY now.

  34. "We ran into a hive today..." apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "... an infected male exposed himself to SUNLIGHT (truth/fact) today. Social de-evolution appears complete. Typical human behavior is now entirely absent..." -> https://news.slashdot.org/comm... (YOU exemplify that).

    FROM the film "I am LEGEND" (see it to understand).

    * I pity you, I really truly do - your kind breeds its OWN destruction. Mainly thru greed & IGNORANCE...

    P.S.=> GA-series serum 1 391 compound 6 commencing HUMAN TRIALS https://it.slashdot.org/commen... (except it's EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE doing FAR MORE for FAR LESS vs. INFERIOR "so-called 'solutions' that SLOW YOU, use more resources & ARE SECURITY ISSUE RIDDLED fails (DNS/Antivirus))... apk

  35. the Porn Value of a Total Eclipse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    if i time it right, can i get a fullon weird boner watching hairy hermaphrodite lesbians in bestiality as i climax on LSD to a waking nocturnal emission durring Tootality? Microwaved french toast too?

  36. Re:I agree to a large extent... apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    OK, who woke up and triggered APK?

  37. disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    For this reason, God sends them a powerful delusion(operation of wandering)(planet) so that they will believe the lie.
    ipfs.io

  38. First Solar eclipse for some? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yes, for people who have experienced Solar Eclipses, we did not need Government Research grants to figure out that bees stop flying, birds stop flying as well and grow quiet. There is an eerie stillness and silence for the duration of the total solar eclipse.

  39. Ants too. by antdude · · Score: 1

    https://www.tapatalk.com/group... for my short compilation from quick Google searches.

    --
    Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
  40. Projecting your issues onto me AGAIN? apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Projecting your issues onto me AGAIN? I don't take orders from a PUNK like YOU hiding behind UNIDENTIFIABLE anonymous as you STALK me like the pussy you are.

    APK

    P.S.=> You keep on proving you're a gutless weasel... apk

  41. RoTfLmAo @ U fool... apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    See subject: You seem to have a hard time understanding I don't give a F what YOU think. 100's of threats levelled my way on /. justifies me merely challenging an idiot who wanted my address to come on over so I could take care of their bs (which is was, they never showed, lol) once & for all.

    I merely replied to the parent @ the root of this & I can do THAT if I want & face facts:

    * YOU CAN'T STOP ME on your best day - period.

    APK

    P.S.=> You're HELPLESS vs. me "helpless Henry" - accept it... apk

    1. Re:RoTfLmAo @ U fool... apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      See subject: You seem to have a hard time understanding I don't give a F what YOU think.

      I agree that you don't care what I or anyone else thinks. If you cared about others, you wouldn't clutter their discussions with offtopic spam and violent threats.

      100's of threats levelled my way on /. justifies me merely challenging an idiot who wanted my address to come on over so I could take care of their bs (which is was, they never showed, lol) once & for all.

      And you've made hundreds of threats against others on Slashdot. But what does any of this have to do with the behavior of animals during a total solar eclipse? Please do tell.

      I merely replied to the parent @ the root of this & I can do THAT if I want & face facts:

      Yes, you're permitted to reply to the parent. And other users are permitted to moderate you offtopic because your post is, in fact, offtopic. It has nothing to do with the behavior of animals during a total solar eclipse.

      * YOU CAN'T STOP ME on your best day - period.

      APK

      P.S.=> You're HELPLESS vs. me "helpless Henry" - accept it... apk

      Obviously I can't stop you. My attempts to reason with you about your posts being offtopic are clearly falling on deaf ears. If you were a reasonable person, my posts might convince you that your behavior is harmful and get you to stop. Unfortunately, you do not appear to be a reasonable person.

      For your own good, please seek professional help.

  42. The Code of Conduct post I replied to by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The CoC post I replied to & not 'triggered' weasel (you're triggered by my posting YOU CAN'T STOP ON YOUR BEST DAY weakling).

    I can do that if/when I wish & "you & yours" by weak UNIDENTIFIABLE anonymous can't stop me on your BEST DAY, & you know it!

    * Accept it, weasel: There's NOTHING you can DO about it.

    APK

    P.S.=> It makes ME laugh to see you all "triggered", lol... apk

  43. IF you REALLY cared about others? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    IF you REALLY cared about others? Create tools that both speed up + PROTECT you vs. threats as I do https://it.slashdot.org/commen... but then, you'd have to have ABILITIES LIKE I DO & obviously, you don't.

    * The ONLY ABILITY you have is STALKING ME by UNIDENTIFIABLE anonymous posts or IMPERSONATING ME (or directing all KINDS of threats my way) & of course, you "classic" DELUSIONS of GRANDEUR you're some Psych pro... clue: YOU ARE NOT!

    I was also on topic on bees! Are you?

    I have actual YEARS of EXPERIENCE working w/ bees https://news.slashdot.org/comm... YOU off-topic HYPOCRITE (preaching to ME to get on topic no less - lol)? No.

    TAKE YOUR OWN ADVICE stalker of myself by your UNIDENTIFIABLE anonymous "courageous posts" - GET ON TOPIC!

    APK

    P.S.=> I don't make threats - I only respond in kind & I see those threatening me CAVE IN "Run, Forrest RUN" style as I make TOTAL FOOLS OF THEM https://yro.slashdot.org/comme... which they REALLY DO TO THEMSELVES as you have, HYPOCRITE, lol - & cut your WANNABE "SiDeWaLk-ShRiNk of /." b.s. too - you're no psychiatric pro, so get over your DELUSIONS of GRANDEUR in that error of yours, lol... apk

  44. Additionally: Who'd I threaten? Bugs Bunny?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Additionally: Who'd I threaten - Bugs Bunny?? A FAKE NAME or UNIDENTIFIABLE fuck like you?? You're not REAL people period (or is your NAME Anonymous Coward on your birth cert).

    * Don't even TRY "play victim" w/ me fucker - you're TOO fucking stupid!

    (... You're right up there w/ the wannabe "jailhouse lawers" who tried that bs on me before only to FAIL as always vs. me OR more "wannabe 'SiDeWaLk-ShRiNks of /.'" LIKE YOU tried & fail in (or do you have a degree, license to practice & experience professionally for years in psychiatric sciences? Show us that w/ your REAL NAME on it moron - then, you'd HAVE to have a formal diagnosis done in a PROFESSIONAL psychiatric environs of myself done by a REAL psych pro (which YOU are not) too... & you have NONE OF THE ABOVE, stupid).

    Stupid little fuck...

    APK

    P.S.=> That goes along w/ my SHOOTING YOU TO PIECES on "if you cared about others" (you'd do as I do but a loser like you w/ DELUSIONS of GRANDEUR you're a shrink you wannabe douche) & YOU BEING OFF TOPIC yet preaching to ME to get on topic (which I was WITH PROOF asshole) https://news.slashdot.org/comm... - lastly - UNBELIEVABLE how fucking STUPID you morons are, you're just TOO EASY to blow away, lol... apk