Rhineland-Palatinate, a state in southwestern Germany, impresses with its diverse biocultural landscape. From the picturesque vineyards along the Rhine to the dense forests of the Hunsrück and Palatinate Forest, this region offers a wide range of habitats for a variety of plant and animal species. The flora is characterized by deciduous and coniferous trees in the forests, as well as by grapevines, fruit trees, and wildflowers in the vineyards and meadows. The fauna includes a wealth of species, including deer, wild boar, foxes, badgers, and various bird species such as woodpeckers and owls. The people of Rhineland-Palatinate have a close relationship with nature and are committed to protecting and preserving biocultural diversity, whether through conservation projects or sustainable agricultural practices. Despite challenges posed by climate change and land use, safeguarding and conserving this diversity remains crucial for the future of Rhineland-Palatinate and the well-being of its residents.
In the Wolfsschlucht. A small waterfall and a cool stream. It was still summer. I actually wanted to post this three months ago because it belongs to the other posts. But my grandma died and other things. And because my girlfriend broke up with me today, I thought it would be a good time to complete it and remember this beautiful day again. Which was one of the most beautiful for me.
We had a wonderful hike in the Brohltal in the Eifel. 🥰
One of the many beautiful sights are the trass caves.
🌋 Trass, a volcanic tuff, was already mined there by the Romans. These are the deposits of a volcanic eruption that created Lake Laach around 13,000 years ago.
🏗️🏛️ Tuff is a soft rock that is primarily used as a building material on the outside of buildings or is mixed with cement.
It was a very special time. In total I was there every weekend for 55 days. Much too little. I wish it would have been infinite.🌠 I will miss it very much! Goodbye Bad Bodendorf! 😢❤️
The ivy bees (Colletes hederae) are one of the 15 species of plasterer bees native to Germany.
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Their nests are lined with a cellophane-like plastic using secretions from two glands at the end of the abdomen and on the labium ("lower lip"). That's why they are also called polyester bees. In Germany we call them silk bees "Seidenbienen".
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They live solitary in colonies, in sunny locations with no or sparse vegetation, where they dig their holes. Each species of plasterer bees specializes in the pollen of a particular plant, as does the ivy bee.
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The distribution area of the ivy bees in Germany is concentrated in the Upper Rhine Plain and the Middle Rhine (where these photos were taken) as well as the Moselle Valley. However, since 2006 there has been a major wave of spread. The bees have also developed a novel preference for kindergarten sandboxes.
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They are peaceful animals who were not disturbed at all by my presence. The females have a very weak stinger, which they only use in extreme danger. There are no known allergic reactions.
Be yourself. Know what you want. Stay curious. Go your way. Discover beauty. Come together. Enjoy each other. Enjoy the world. Run around. Plant some seeds.