Earlier this summer, as I was out walking, I heard a persistent buzzing sound I hadn’t noticed before. Curious, I looked around and discovered a hive of busy bees tucked behind vines inside a hollowed-out tree trunk beside the road, each one diligently working away.
“The hum of bees is the voice of the garden.” ~Elizabeth Lawrence
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Throughout the summer, it was encouraging to see various types of bees diligently transferring pollen from flower to flower.
“For so work the honey bees, creatures that by a rule in nature teach the act of order to a peopled kingdom.” ~William Shakespeare
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I believe this was my favorite—the American Bumble Bee (Bombus pensylvanicus). Such a beauty! It plays an important role in pollinating many different plants.
The careful insect ‘midst his works I view,
Now from the flowers exhaust the fragrant dew,
With golden treasures load his little thighs,
And steer his distant journey through the skies.
~John Gay, Rural Sports (canto I, I. 82)
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This year, morning glories blossomed along my fence, and it was fascinating to observe the bees as they slept—with their heads tucked inside the flower blossoms and their tiny bottoms sticking out. When the flowers opened in the morning, the bees busily buzzed about, gathering nectar and pollen.
… Why are you so busy, pray?
Never still a minute,
hovering now above a flower.
Now half-buried in it!
by Julia Dorr
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“It is not how busy you are, but why you are busy – the bee is praised, the mosquito is swatted. ~Author Unknown
walking on a country road 
A bee tree! What a sweet discovery. 😉
I agree wholeheartedly with Elizabeth Lawrence, I love the music of bees. 🧡 🐝
It was quite a surprise. Yes, their hum is a very comforting sound.
They were beeing busy bees. Excellent photos and videos.
Good pun. 🙂 Thanks, Timothy.
Very interesting Rebecca! The first video captured those busy bees perfectly – they were loud! And the second video, I have to admit I never thought about how/where bumblebees sleep. How interesting to see them sleeping headfirst and backing out of the flower, getting the kinks out of their legs from that awkward position, much like we humans stretch before our feet touch the floor and we begin our day. I liked all the still shots as well. Bees sure are welcome!
Thanks, Linda. I didn’t realize that bees slept in flowers until recently. I guess a morning glory is just the right size for them. I thought it was interesting to see how they exit the flower blooms so carefully after collecting pollen so as not to damage the petals. I agree, they are a welcome sight!
Nature never ceases to amaze us. Collecting the pollen carefully, so the next bee comes along has ready access.
A great post. You have a bee haven at your place. I really enjoyed reading about the bees. The photos and videos are amazing.
Thanks, Mags. They are fascinating creatures.
How wonderful! I love that Elizabeth Lawrence quote.
This is the kind of garden we’re aiming for 😀
Bees and butterflies make for a happy garden. 🙂
This year we had more bees than ever. After years of loss a big bump up 🤗
It’s always good to see them thriving and doing well.
Fascinating seeing them emerge from the morning glory! I found bees sleeping in our Foxglove & on the Hydrangea tree this summer.
A perfect safe haven while they sleep. Thanks!
you can’t have many bears in your area? A passing bear would of eaten all the honey!
No, no bears in our part of Tennessee. 🙂 Just glad to see some honeybees that seem to be busy and thriving.
have you ever seen and been close to a wild bear Rebecca? You don’t forget it.
Only from a distance. I can see that being able to observe them up close out in nature, the way you do, must leave a lasting impression.
being close to nature reminds me of where we came from. A distant echo we all recognize and answer to.
Excellent series, Rebecca, and so encouraging that you saw so many pollinators over the season.
In addition to the bee activity, I was fascinated by the spider in the first video, nature just taking its course in that community.