I was so happy to have the opportunity to photograph bees while visiting our daughter as I seldom see one in our yard. We arrived home late this afternoon and (atypically) I took a walk through the yard out front and was totally blown away to find this swarm in the orange tree! I photographed them from every angle as they may decide to fly off as quickly as they arrived! Aren't they beautiful?! Bees are just amazing little creatures!
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Thank you for all the comments & fav's! I've been reading up on how to start a hive (which they suggest doing in the spring...) Ken likes the idea, but I'm not sure I can possibly add another chore to my pet sitter's list when we're away! Must continue to read up about it!
@kellelynne@luvmynynix Wow...thank you both! All I know is that my husband was picking oranges there on Thurs and we came home to find this on Sunday! I'd love to know more about why they swarm...all I know is that I'd love for at least some of them to stay around!
@Weezilou It has something to do with forming a new colony. I know they were afraid that was going to happen at A's preschool last year so they did something to avoid it...not sure what though.
@luvmynynix It seems as though every other little creature has found a home here, so why not bees, too?! (We have sound evidence of raccoon's in the night as well now, but I've not gotten a photo of them yet!)
@tjchapa Thank you, Julie...that's where I found you, too! Your photos are fabulous and so crisp! I was reading about your camera, but I can see there are skills behind the lens as well!
Incredible swarm. We haven't seen many bees around here for the past year or two. We have trees that need pollination, and it hasn't happened for a year or two. Consequently, no fruit.
@aglennc I hadn't thought of the pollination aspect! Our avocado tree has been on floral overload the last couple of years but there was little fruit. The flowers are in abundance again...maybe the bees would like to go hang out over there!
Instant fav! They are beautiful and you really captured an awesome shot but I sure wouldn't want to get too close. I love how you also got some oranges in the picture as well.
Wow! This is amazing. I've never seen this many bees sitting still. We've got lots in our yard, although some of our local beekeepers have had problems with the colony collapse issue. Having your own hive would be wonderful but it might limit the people would would be willing to be house/bee/pet sitter.
@dailypix@pyrrhula@pcarlaw I realize it might be foolish, but I tend to be a bit of a risk-taker to get the photo I want. If the bees seemed agitated, I would leave, but only a few fly around me and I move slowly. They're amazing to watch close-up. ...Peggy, we've researched bee keeping, but are a bit discouraged. See my next reply to Lucy... @lucypics When Ken called the local "Bee Society" he was discouraged from trying to put these "possibly Africanized bees" into a hive, but for about $200, they'd come and remove them! ...it costs about the same for a set up to house them... They're still out there, though they moved to another close-by tree. I think I'll just enjoy visiting them while they're around. They're just gorgeous!
