The place is abuzz!
In recent years, the bee population has declined dramatically and farmers are actually renting hives from beekeepers to ensure their crops are pollinated. I have yet to spot a honeybee this spring but the bumblebees must be making a comeback if the activity in our gardens is any indication. There are bumblebees everywhere! When the chestnut tree was in bloom, the drone of the bees was so loud you could hear it as soon as you opened the patio door. At the moment, the focus of their attention is the rock garden where they are gathering on the chive flowers. Bumblebees are much cuter (if you can call a bee cute!) than other bees. Their fuzzy yellow and black coats, their white-knuckle flight antics and their laid-back attitude make for charming garden companions and I often find myself chatting with them amicably as we work side by side. Last year, we were able to observe a bumblebee colony that took up residence in an unused birdhouse in our garage. We became quite accustomed to one another and we missed them when they suddenly disappeared in the fall. I’d like to think that some of the bees in the garden this year were born in that old birdhouse.
Copyright 2011 Anne Corke
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Have been noticing quite a few bumble bees in my garden as well, Anne. Wonderful photo!