POLLINATION STATION

Wearing a coat of pollen, a bumble bee moves from one pollen filled flower to another at the Wild Horse Lavender Farm west of Plains. According to Montana State University's Bee Identification Guide, bumble bees can buzz-pollinate, which MSU said is important for plants that require vibration to release pollen. Bumble bees continue to be active throughout October. MSU notes that there are 45 bumble bee species in North America and 28 in Montana. Eleven-year-old John McNamara plants numerous flowers on his parents' farm.