Friday 29 August 2008

Poor cold bee.........

I photograph the bee.......I watch him.....the drone does not move........I gently touch him.............he does not move............the bee is cold, and the day is chilly........
I pick the bloom, take it into the shed............and put a small amount of honey on the flower................

I place the bloom gently in a sheltered and warm part of the garden......and wait......the bee starts to feed..............


He is enjoying his breakfast.................



He is energised........




Bye bye bee........................
Have a fun weekend...............and enjoy your bees............






20 comments:

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

Wonderful Cheryl, you did good rescueing that bee. Poor little thing, the bad weather we've been having lately isn't helping our friends the bees, is it?

Have a lovely weekend, hopefully with some sunshine.

Ruth said...

I had no idea that bees became sluggish in cool weather. How observant of you! I have never ventured to touch a bee either. Your macro shots are excellent.

Marimoy said...

I'm so glad you got him warmed up. He is darling.

Cheryl said...

Hi Yolanda.....I have noticed several dead bumble bees around the garden this morning....which is sad.........at least one got to see another day......

Hope the sun shines on your part of the world to.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Ruth......bees are warm bloodied creatures.....when temperatures drop they sometimes get caught out.........this little bee just needed a warmer spot in the garden......

marmee said...

what a great capture! these photos are so cool. how sweet you knew how to help this little guy.

Gypsyheart Lady said...

The world is a better place by having people like you in it !

Rose said...

Mr. Bee is thanking you, I'm sure, Cheryl!
We still have lots of bees--and butterflies! I had to work today, and when I came home I thought I'd walked into a butterfly house! But it is still very warm here as well as humid, so I'm sure the bees are quite content to stay here.
Have a good weekend, Cheryl!

Cheryl said...

Do you know Rose.....we have barely had summer here....although the land is dry, the weather has been very cool and cloudy a lot of the time......really strange....
I will do a post soon on repeating blooms....I have many poppies in the garden due to the chilly weather.....
I still have lots of bees in the garden but I have found several dead bees amongst the borders.....sigh

beckie said...

Such a bee warming story. You amaze me by what you notice. I doubt that I would have seen the bee was not moving. You are a good steward of nature. We still have so many bees and so many different types. Rose and I saw one the other day that was almost 2"long! And the butterflies are everywhere these days...I love it. Now, if only I could get pictures of some of them. :) Have a great weekend!

Meems said...

cheryl: first of all cooler weather sounds wonderful after today's temps in the 90's. I love your pics and so glad the bee found some warmth.
Meems

Wendy said...

Cheryl, that was absolutely beautiful! Energizing that cold little bee back to life and photographing every step. You really are magical!
Love your new pic too!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

It is so hot and DRY here that I can't imagine how it would be to have it so cold a bee wouldn't be feeding. I am looking forward to those days here.

There isn't much blooming here due to the drought. I am just keeping things alive watering.

ChrisND said...

Maybe this one will spread the word were to go...such a nice story. It go chilly a week ago and I noticed such a sluggish bumble bee...lot of busy bees now getting ready for fall.

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
Thank you for caring for the bee...
I know they love you.
I am so sad some of your bee friends have died due to cold weather. It is still warm at my house but I know my bee days are drawimg to a close.
I need to find a place for my bee box for the winter. It will be too cold for it to be left outside. My garage is unheated and I think will be too cold come January for my bee box. I shall call the bee box people and see what they suggest. Have you already put your bee boxes into the garden house?
Lovely photos today.
Bee is beautiful.
Sherry

Cheryl said...

Your garden sounds wonderful Beckie at this time....so many bees and butterflies.....best butterflies are often taken on a cloudy day as they rest longer on the blooms....so don't rush out on a sunny day.....
Glad that your bees are doing well....and that the weather is still warm........

Cheryl said...

Hi Meems 90 degrees would be too hot for me.....I have enjoyed the cooler summer we have had....



Dear Wendy.....I can never walk away from a bee.....with just a little bit of help I know I can give it enough strength to get back to the nest......

Cheryl said...

Hi Lisa.....it is chilly in the garden at 6.00 a.m. and the bees were out early....it had obviously caught the drone out.....

Watering is a chore, hope you get some rain soon.....

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry......I to feel sad losing my precious bees.....I usually put my mason bees in the shed when the temperatures drop dramatically......this is usually around late September........my shed is exposed and does get very cold....as long as the bees do not freeze they will be fine.
Your unit looks as though it is made from good solid wood so should insulate well.....

How low do your temperatures go in the winter.....it has been as low as minus 6 centigrade here....

Dawny P said...

If I ever come back as a bee Cheryl, I want to live in your garden. They must be the best cared for bees on the planet and they are lucky to have you!!! Gorgeous pics as well as a story to cheer the soul xxxxx