Well, my bees must be doing pretty good. Today they swarmed. I'm guessing another queen was born and she took off to find new digs. My two hives still are active, so it must have been a good thing. Wow. It sure is a sound when the start to swarm. It was literally a roar. At first I thought they were going nuts, but then when they started flying in a tighter formation I figured things out. It didn't take long and they conglomerated on an oak branch. It was a sight to see. Funny thing is once they got in a group it was quiet. If it hadn't been for the earlier activity you wouldn't have known they were there. I got two photos before my batteries died.
Then as fast as it happened, they were gone. Vanished. I'm sure they found a hollow tree to nest in. There are plenty about. Kelly and I heard on the radio once that while they are in the stage above searcher bees go out looking for potential homes. Then they come back to the swarm and try to politic the rest into how great their find is. Somebody must have been persuasive. I'm sure going to keep my eye open for a hive in the trees now. I am happy to think my little troop has expanded.
I've never seen this...fascinating! Do they get aggressive (towards people) when they're swarming?
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome I would love to see that up close and real sometime. Thanks for sharing the great photos.. B
ReplyDeleteGood to know your bees are doing well. I've read that too about how they find a new home when they swarm. If you find them maybe you can move them into a new hivebox.
ReplyDeleteLook at you with your Bee's! Good job!
ReplyDeleteHere's the link you asked for about the raised beds! ...http://www.deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com/2012_03_01_archive.html
Between you and Elaine @ Pear Tree blog, I'm learning so much about bees. When you have honey, I posted a great recipe for Honey Vanilla ice cream (May 2012) that is to die for. It would be a lovely dessert to enjoy down by the fire pit! XOXO
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic! I have never seen (or read about them) swarming like that on the tree. Great photos!
ReplyDeletewow! that is definitely cool!! That must be something to hear that swarming, roaring sound...very neat!!
ReplyDeleteWoW-zers, facinating and a lil scarey!!
ReplyDeleteThat really is so cool and amazing--Bees really fascinate me, and I'd love to learn to keep them, but I've just not had the time to learn.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you're doing well, and I hope you have a good weekend!
I heard a bee lecture a few years ago speak of swarming. Seems in CT we have been having a problem with this as they leave the hives, never to return, and leave their keepers high and dry! So important to protect the bees - I had hives next door for a period of time and wanted all of my flowers to be healthy for them - say NO to PESTICIDES!!
ReplyDeleteHappy bees! I don't know anything about bees; but would think that if they are swarming and leaving is that a good thing or a bad thing to have happen?? Do you need to put in another hive box? If so... how do you get them back? So many questions :)
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! My daughter-in-law who lives next door to me here on the ranch, said she heard and then saw a swarm of bees this summer. All these years and I have never seen such a thing. I haven't found them yet, but there are plenty of bees around lately which I am so thankful for!
ReplyDeleteJody