Friday, May 29, 2009

the queen has landed



This may look like just a picture of a tree right outside my kitchen window, but at closer glance...







Yep. Bees.

Lots of them.

This afternoon, I was in my kitchen, doing dishes, when I noticed lots of bees flying in front of me, right outside the window.

I went over to the glass sliding doors to get a better look, and when I looked out, I gasped outloud, and yelled, "Porter, come here! Quick!"

Bees were everywhere. Hundreds and hundreds of them - flying and swarming like they were not quite sure where to go. But the funny thing about it was, there was not one single bee in either of my neighbors back yards and the bees were not in the front yard. I have never seen anything like it in my life.

I made sure my kids were safe inside the house and that the doors and windows were secure, and then I got on the phone and made some phone calls and began googling on the internet.

I found out that this time of year is when hives have to split because there are too many bees in a hive. So, bees will fill themselves with honey, say goodbye to their old home and start looking for a new home.

It just happened, this time, to be in my backyard, where the lilacs and other varieties are in full bloom.

I was told to watch them, and see if I could tell where they were landing...because that's where the queen would be...

Well, the queen landed. In our tree. And so have all her admirers.






Tonight, they have settled and I was brave enough to actually go out on the deck, a couple feet away from them, and watch them. (Whereas, earlier, I was taking all these pictures with my telephoto lens from inside my dining room).










They are beautiful, amazing creatures.

In all of my researching today, I actually found out that to be able to witness this is quite a rare occurrence.





I think I will go fix a peanut butter and honey sandwich in honor of my bee friends.

I'm just wondering what it is I'm supposed to do if they're still there in the morning.


9 comments:

LGH said...

Incredible. And, Natalie, may I add, very good photography! Good luck.

Devin said...

Wow, very cool. Do I get to play with them?

Shawn and Megan Atwood said...

Nat, that is crazy, how do you handle something like that? Those are way cool pictures, I think I will have a pb and honey sandwich too....in honor of bees:)

Ms. Fish said...

Nat,
Those photos are amazing! What a cool thing to witness. I love that you called over Porter to share it with him and then googled to learned about bees. You are such a great mom.

Bees remind me of Fred Calder! So this is especially poignant.

Linds said...

Wholly fudge Cycles in july batman! That is absolutely amazing. Terrifying for me, since the last time I was stung by a bee was on the inside of my heel and it swelled to my knee, but hey, it's in your yard not mine.

Hey, my brother in laws best friend that lives in blackfoot. actually seeks queen bees to hive. Do you want me to call him if they're still there?

Linds said...

I still cant get ahold of him. I hope you're beeless.

Shelby said...

Nat, How crazy is that?? I miss you guys. Life is just a roller coaster right now. Let me know how things go with the bees... Love ya.

The Teeples Times said...

WOW - that is amazing! How fun you got to witness that, but hopefully they leave you all alone!! Your pictures are amazing! I love your earlier post about Porter's love note, and you're right, who wouldn't love him?? He's handsome, sweet, smart. I guess it starts early for him, eh?

Anonymous said...

That is the craziest most wonderful thing I have heard in a long time - I know that you no longer have them, but that was a lot of fun to read and see. What a blessing!!

Aamnda Sue