The Arrival of the Bees

[dawn_felagund]

Comments

[vamp_ress]

This is *so* very fascinating! I've noticed (especially this year) that there are less bees around, so there's definitely something to all the talk about the bees dying.

I would probably be intimidated by the sheer number, though I'm normally not afraid of bees (we've always had wasps living behind some wood panels in the house, so I'm used to the buzzing).

[dawn_felagund]

Thanks, Michelle! You're definitely right about falling bee populations. Between Colony Collapse Disorder (which we fortunately do not have in Maryland ... yet) and fewer habitats for wild bees, it's become a treat to see them. I remember when honeybees were a banality; when it was perilous to walk barefoot in a clover patch because you'd almost certainly get stung. The good news is that, through positive media coverage about bees, more people (like Bobby and me! :) are getting involved in beekeeping, so hopefully we can combat whatever it is that is causing populations to fall.

[zylven]

Congrats! I know that Bobby announced the installation of the bees on FB, but I didn't knew that you'd be handling the bees like that. Wow! And what a lovely home :)

[dawn_felagund]

Thanks, Rhapsy! :) You do indeed have to get down 'n' dirty with the critters! During our beekeeping classes, the veteran beekeepers would tell stories of (stupidly) working bees without a veil and having a curious girl go up a nose or in an ear. I enjoy handling the bees, but not like that! :D

[engarian]

That's awesome, Dawn. As I mentioned earlier, I'm allergic to bees, wasps and other stinging critters, so I tend to try and stay away from them, but bees perform a very useful and needed service and I love the way that they look. I hope yours do very well.

- Erulisse (one L)

[dawn_felagund]

Thanks, Erulisse! I give you props for appreciating and even enjoying the appearance of bees, despite your allergy! :) I think that they're adorable, personally!

[angelica_ramses]

I've confirmed my impressions: I *am* insect squeamish! The whole description was wonderful and the pics very interesting - at a distance ;)

[dawn_felagund]

So if you ever end up on the central east coast of the U.S., you won't be borrowing our extra bee veil to take a look inside the hive? ;)

I always point out to people who are nervous about the bees that they are the smart, normal ones. Those of us who like to spend our time with thousands of stinging insects need some help!

[dawn_felagund]

I'm not fond of hornets; they're so aggressive, and my sister and I had a run-in with a hornets' nest in the woods behind our house when we were kids. Wasps I do like because they're good for the garden, although I will admit that they are very creepy-looking! :D

Honeybees and bumblebees are adorable!

I've not yet been stung, and I've been in the hive four times now, not counting checking their sugar water supply every few days.