Queen Bees and Fall

Bumble Bee Drawing copyrighted by Mary Ann Sterling

I watched a queen bumble bee flit from flower to flower. She was getting ready for her winter hibernation. Unlike honey bees, bumble bees do not have hives they live in year round. Watching her was a lesson in calmness.

Bees are credited with foreknowledge of events and lore of the ancients. A Scottish saying is "Go ask the wild bees for what the Druids know". One thing we need to understand is how to ask bees or any animal. First there is respect for them. Then, we can ask.

Animal Teachers: Bumble Bee:

Besides size, another way that you can tell how Bumble Bee is different from Honey Bee is that Bumble Bee's nest is a mess. Bumble Bees have fewer members in their colonies than Honey Bee. Also, They do not store large amounts of honey. Unlike Honey Bees, Bumble Bees rarely sting unless their nest is threatened.

Enjoy watching these fairly placid Bees as They go about their business of pollinating the flowers. Learn from Them to mind your own business. Just do not be messy in your affairs.