Close-up of bee colony

Such sad news from the Calgary Zoo just now (16 May 2016):

"We are deeply saddened to share that silverback gorilla, Kakinga, passed away Saturday night at the age of 37. Often called the zoo’s gentle giant, Kakinga was an exceptional silverback; a kind, loving, protective and diligent leader.

Our Veterinary team has determined he died as a result of developing a large tear in his aorta which caused the sac around his heart to become filled with blood and ultimately stopped his heart. This is one of the well-recognized causes of mortality in gorillas, especially males.

Kakinga was born December 1, 1978 at the Jersey Zoo in the United Kingdom and arrived at the Calgary Zoo in 1984. After nine years, he transitioned into the role of silverback, or leader of the troop in 1993, a role he held for the past 23 years.

During his time as silverback, he fathered 13 offspring, eight of which are surviving with the most recent being born just this past March at our zoo. Of those eight, five are males and three are females.

But Kakinga is known for more than just his impressive genetics. His calm and gentle natured endeared him to all zoo staff who cared for him. He was very involved in his role as leader of the troop, acting as a peacekeeper, a protector and in some very tender moments, a father." From the Calgary Zoo.

"Western Lowland Gorillas are part of a Species Survival Program authorized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and are considered endangered by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Their last chance for survival may be a few gorilla sanctuaries in Africa, zoos, and other captive environments and breeding programs throughout the world." From the Calgary Zoo.

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This photo might do funny things to your eyes - sorry : ) I guess the fast movement of all those thousands of tiny bee wings made things a bit blurry.

When I called in at Fish Creek Park for half an hour on 11 May 2016, a lady who was down there spotted this enormous bee colony. Later. I read on friend Larry's website that a bee keeper had since been called in to remove this huge mass and that the bee keeper had estimated the number of bees to be 15,000-20,000!

There was no activity from the owl family during the very brief time I was there, and the owls were so well hidden by all the leaves and branches that there was no chance to get photos. The only other thing I did see there was the work of local Beavers. Took me by surprise when I saw how they had changed the creek and flooded part of the ground.