Who knew I needed to add "bee-petting" to my bucket list? 😆 The way you describe their "buzz-gather-buzz-next!" spirit has me wanting to channel some serious bee energy into my chores.
I once heard my sister-in-law refer to a passing squirrel (in Golden Gate Park) as "she" and I have been doing that with all unknown-gender animals since. It's only right, since "he" has been the default for so long! (I understand that your use of the pronoun is for a different reason—because the bees are female!)
Never knew I'd enjoy reading an essay about bees so much until I came across this! The bee snuggles just completely melted my heart. I was never a bee or an insect person but in a bit of a similar vein my toddler has made me fall in love with them all, even the centipedes which used to send shivers down my spine. I've also recently discovered that bees come back to the hive to share nectar location intel with their buddies - a sort of Google maps version of directions - by performing an elaborate dance. The choreography changes depending on the distance/route etc.! Thank you for this lovely essay appreciating the cute little buzzers.
I'm so glad to hear that, Eugenia! Isn't it wonderful the way our little ones help us see through new eyes. Our kids have prompted fascinations with insects, rocks, and mosses, that I probably never would have really experienced without them.
Oh my goodness, the waggle dance! Thanks so much for reminding me about that! Such a perfectly delightful way to give directions 🤣
Lovely post! I love bees, my partner introduced me to bee-petting. My favourite bee, which also has a great common name, is the Hairy Footed Flower Bee.
Really lovely. (I’ve never heard of bee petting either!!) There are so many amazing pollinators in this world. Thanks so much. Another lovely story. (I listened to you while reading along enjoying the beautiful photos.) Happy sigh.
I didn't know that bees of any kind rested overnight on or in flowers! I'm allergic to some kinds of bee stings, so I usually just try to leave all bees/wasps/hornets to their own devices, but I might have to check out some early-morning flowers now to see if I can find a bee waiting for sunrise.
I can understand that! We have some wasp allergies in the family, and give those plenty of room...But hopefully you can observe them from a distance while they're sleepy! 🤣
You have brought new light to the world of bees, for me! I have always loved them, yet, with a healthy respect, have kept a suitable distance. Bless your kids for teaching us all something new! How special it is that their child led curiosity brought them to discover that tenderness and touch can lead to lovingly petting bees! AMAZING! Many cheers for those lady worker bees who keep that hive fed and thriving! Our glorious natural world will forever awe and inspire! Thank you for such a delightful post!
It brought new information along with an energy BUZZ to my day! ~Wendy
Yay, Wendy, this is absolutely my favorite thing to do, sharing something that amazed me with someone who finds it amazing! Kids and nature are both so good for bringing about these moments 💕
So delightful! I remember the first time I saw a bee hanging out under a rudbeckia blossom early one morning. It was such a treat!
My two-year-old grandson loves to watch the “bumbees” at work in my garden. It’s so fun to watch him gasp in amazement every time he spots another one.
I read somewhere that the bees sleeping in flowers are usually male, because the ladies don’t let them sleep in the nest at night! I can’t remember where I read that, or if it was a reputable source, so take that with a big ole grain of salt. Either way, finding sleeping bees in my yard is one of my top five favorite activities. But bee petting! I did not know this was a thing, and next time I see a orange-belted bumblebee, if she seems into it, I may just give it a try. :)
Thanks so much for sharing this, Rebecca! I was delighted to find several sources saying that this does seem to be largely a male behavior - my goodness, talk about the ultimate bachelor pad!🤣
I hope you get a nice mild bee - the fuzziness and that little buzz-vibration are very fun to experience :)
Who knew I needed to add "bee-petting" to my bucket list? 😆 The way you describe their "buzz-gather-buzz-next!" spirit has me wanting to channel some serious bee energy into my chores.
🤣 Yes, bees are excellent attitude coaches 🤣
I once heard my sister-in-law refer to a passing squirrel (in Golden Gate Park) as "she" and I have been doing that with all unknown-gender animals since. It's only right, since "he" has been the default for so long! (I understand that your use of the pronoun is for a different reason—because the bees are female!)
So true! I often default to he. Now, I try to be accurate when possible, and to go back and forth between he's and she's when I don't know 🤣
Never knew I'd enjoy reading an essay about bees so much until I came across this! The bee snuggles just completely melted my heart. I was never a bee or an insect person but in a bit of a similar vein my toddler has made me fall in love with them all, even the centipedes which used to send shivers down my spine. I've also recently discovered that bees come back to the hive to share nectar location intel with their buddies - a sort of Google maps version of directions - by performing an elaborate dance. The choreography changes depending on the distance/route etc.! Thank you for this lovely essay appreciating the cute little buzzers.
I'm so glad to hear that, Eugenia! Isn't it wonderful the way our little ones help us see through new eyes. Our kids have prompted fascinations with insects, rocks, and mosses, that I probably never would have really experienced without them.
Oh my goodness, the waggle dance! Thanks so much for reminding me about that! Such a perfectly delightful way to give directions 🤣
Lovely post! I love bees, my partner introduced me to bee-petting. My favourite bee, which also has a great common name, is the Hairy Footed Flower Bee.
Thank you, Juliet! Happy to connect with a fellow bee-petter 🤣 Oh my goodness, I had to look that one up - what a cutie! Those feet!
Really lovely. (I’ve never heard of bee petting either!!) There are so many amazing pollinators in this world. Thanks so much. Another lovely story. (I listened to you while reading along enjoying the beautiful photos.) Happy sigh.
Thank you, Beth! Always so nice to hear from you 💕 It's true, so many amazing pollinators, buzzing about right under our noses!
Bombus impatiens has to be the best scientific name ever!
🤣 Such a good one, I feel like I'll need to adopt that in some way into my own life 🤣
Bombus bombus. Love it.:)
So sweet! Wonderful images
Thanks so much, Amaranta!
What a beautiful photo. Really nice.
Thank you so much, Jennie!
I didn't know that bees of any kind rested overnight on or in flowers! I'm allergic to some kinds of bee stings, so I usually just try to leave all bees/wasps/hornets to their own devices, but I might have to check out some early-morning flowers now to see if I can find a bee waiting for sunrise.
I can understand that! We have some wasp allergies in the family, and give those plenty of room...But hopefully you can observe them from a distance while they're sleepy! 🤣
Sydney,
You have brought new light to the world of bees, for me! I have always loved them, yet, with a healthy respect, have kept a suitable distance. Bless your kids for teaching us all something new! How special it is that their child led curiosity brought them to discover that tenderness and touch can lead to lovingly petting bees! AMAZING! Many cheers for those lady worker bees who keep that hive fed and thriving! Our glorious natural world will forever awe and inspire! Thank you for such a delightful post!
It brought new information along with an energy BUZZ to my day! ~Wendy
Yay, Wendy, this is absolutely my favorite thing to do, sharing something that amazed me with someone who finds it amazing! Kids and nature are both so good for bringing about these moments 💕
That they are!!! Both are paramount and priceless teachers!
So delightful! I remember the first time I saw a bee hanging out under a rudbeckia blossom early one morning. It was such a treat!
My two-year-old grandson loves to watch the “bumbees” at work in my garden. It’s so fun to watch him gasp in amazement every time he spots another one.
Oh that is so cute, Rebecca! So sweet how kiddos remind us of all the wonder in the world!💕
Lovely post!
Thanks so much, Rabia!
Awesome Sydney - I had never heard of bee-petting! That tri-coloured bee is amazing - never seen one before.
Thanks so much, Neil! Yes, they are happily abundant here - that electric orange is always a show-stopper :)
I read somewhere that the bees sleeping in flowers are usually male, because the ladies don’t let them sleep in the nest at night! I can’t remember where I read that, or if it was a reputable source, so take that with a big ole grain of salt. Either way, finding sleeping bees in my yard is one of my top five favorite activities. But bee petting! I did not know this was a thing, and next time I see a orange-belted bumblebee, if she seems into it, I may just give it a try. :)
Thanks so much for sharing this, Rebecca! I was delighted to find several sources saying that this does seem to be largely a male behavior - my goodness, talk about the ultimate bachelor pad!🤣
I hope you get a nice mild bee - the fuzziness and that little buzz-vibration are very fun to experience :)
I didn’t know I needed a new bee in my life but after reading this, it’s clear I do! I’ll go outside right and see if she’ll come.:)
🤣 I hope you had a perfectly lovely bee moment, Kimberly 🐝💕