In Touch with Nature – Sonic blast carpenter bees

Posted: September 23, 2026 | Author: robertawrites235681907 | Filed under: Africa, Animals, In Touch With Nature, Nature, Photography, Poetry, Wildlife | Tags: #InTouchWithNature, #RobbieCheadle, Carpenter bees, Nature Photography, Poetry, Robbie Cheadle, South Africa, Wildlife, Writing to be Read |1 Comment

A few days ago my dad called me to come and take a picture of the strange looking insect he’d found on the path. I took a couple of pictures and used the information button to identify the creature as a carpenter bee. I was very interested as I haven’t seen one of these bees before. Dad hadn’t either so it was a first for both of us.

The carpenter bee interested me so much I did some research on them. One of the most interesting facts about these bees is that they are one of the few insects capable of sonication. They grab a flower and vibrate their flight muscles at a specific frequency. This ‘sonic blast’ dislodges stubborn pollen that ordinary honeybees cannot reach.

This story American cinquain poem is the result of my research.

master

pollinator

using sonication

to dislodge obstinate pollen

clever

***

unique

ability

creates dependency

by certain plants like tomatoes

crucial

***

females

have large bodies

with bare black abdomens

yellow, orange, or white markings

pretty

***

using

strong mandibles

female carpenter bees

bore perfectly round, smooth tunnels

drill holes

***

building

individual

egg chambers in tunnel

using shavings and saliva

strong walls

***

drilling

takes energy

daughters reuse mom’s nest

expanding and cleaning old homes

heirloom

***

male bees

have no stinger

aggressive dive-bombing

pure intimidation tactic

harmless

About Robbie Cheadle

Roberta Eaton Cheadle, is a South African writer and poet specialising in historical, paranormal, and horror novels and short stories. She is an avid reader in these genres and her writing has been influenced by famous authors including Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Amor Towles, Stephen Crane, Enrich Maria Remarque, George Orwell, Stephen King, and Colleen McCullough.

Roberta has two published novels and a collection of short stories and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories included in several anthologies. She is also a contributor to the Ask the Authors 2022 (WordCrafter Writing Reference series).

Roberta is also the author and illustrator of seventeen children’s books, illustrator to a further three children’s books, and the author and illustrator of four poetry books published under the name of Robbie Cheadle, and has poems and short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

Roberta’s blog features discussions about classic books, book reviews, poetry, and photography. https://roberta-writes.com/.

Find Roberta Eaton Cheadle

Blog: https://wordpress.com/view/robertawrites235681907.wordpress.com

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertawrites

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Roberta-Eaton-Cheadle/e/B08RSNJQZ5

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This segment of “In Touch with Nature” is sponsored by the Midnight Anthology Series and WordCrafter Press.

Midnight Roost: Weird and Creepy Stories: 20 authors bring your nightmares to life in 23 stories of ghosts, paranormal phenomenon and the horror from the dark crevasses of their minds. Stories of stalkers, both human and supernatural, possession and occult rituals, alien visitations of the strange kind, and ghostly tales that will give you goosebumps. These are the tales that will make you fear the dark. Read them at the Midnight Roost… if you dare. https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Roost-Kaye-Lynne-Booth-ebook/dp/B0CL6FPLVJ

Midnight Garden: Where Dark Tales Grow: 17 authors bring you 21 magnificent dark tales. Stories of magic, monsters and mayhem. Tales of murder and madness which will make your skin crawl. These are the tales that explore your darkest fears. Read them in the Midnight Garden… if you dare. https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Garden-Where-Tales-Anthology-ebook/dp/B0DJNDQJD3

Midnight Oil: Stories to Fuel Your Nightmares: 14 authors bring you 16 dark tales that explore your deepest fears. These are the stories which nightmares are made of. Tales of monsters, mayhem, and madness which will make you shiver in the dark. Read them while you burn the Midnight Oil… if you dare. https://books2read.com/Midnight-Oil

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