Riccardo, Thank you so much for the nomination. I am honored by it. But because I like to keep my blog clean and simple looking I won’t do the “process” of the award. Thank you again for the encouragement. Very Best, Catherine
Members of my garden club just had a lively discussion of the novel “The Bees” by Laline Paull yesterday. I so wish I had seen your poem in time to read it to them as it would have fit right end with our discussion, the honeyed foods we enjoyed, and our thoughts of the hives in winter.
Your photo and words made me realize I’ve never thought about bees in winter. It never occured to me they would stay in a hive. Did I think they migrated? I don’t know. Do they truly hibernate? Off to the Great Google I go!
I’m sure google more than answered your question. Here’s a few fun facts about the hive in the photo. It is no longer an active hive. In the winters we had a little heater going so the whole thing wouldn’t freeze. For a time we kept an electric fence around it to keep the bears from pulling the lid off and scooping out pawfuls of honey – but they just used a branch to reach over and avoid the electric fence! So in the end they outsmarted us and won.
I’ve always smiled at artistic representations of bears stealing honey. It tickles me to know that they really are capable of such cleverness. Of course, the bees may not be so happy about it.
What a lovely picture! FYI: Bees do not sleep or hibernate, they are awake and “clustering” around the queen to keep her (and the eggs/brood, which are just starting again) warm –almost 90 F ! That’s why winter is so hard on bees, they must constantly eat and metabolize to keep going. The drones are kicked out before winter –just the girls in the hive right now :-))
Thanks for the wonderful explanation several readers have inquired. The hive in the photo is not actually an active hive. For a time we kept an electric fence around it to keep the bears from pulling the lid off and scooping out pawfuls of honey – but they just used a branch to reach over and avoid the electric fence! So in the end they outsmarted us and won. Very best, Catherine
Hi Catherine, those bears are smart! No bears here in Southern Rhode Island where I garden and keep bees (and chickens). I very much enjoy your beautiful photography. Best, Gabrielle
Brrrr, bees buzz inside there to keep things toasty warm. Miraculous “animals!”
It’s very hard to keep bee’s going through the winter in the North country. Often the hive has to be protected from the harsh elements and a little heater is used. The hive in the photo is not actually an active hive. For a time we kept an electric fence around it to keep the bears from pulling the lid off and scooping out pawfuls of honey – but they just used a branch to reach over and avoid the electric fence! So in the end they outsmarted us and won.
Here’s more good bee information from another reader. Uribg wrote- “What a lovely picture! FYI: Bees do not sleep or hibernate, they are awake and “clustering” around the queen to keep her (and the eggs/brood, which are just starting again) warm –almost 90 F ! That’s why winter is so hard on bees, they must constantly eat and metabolize to keep going. The drones are kicked out before winter –just the girls in the hive right now :-))”
Lovely thought
Lovely. Thanks for the thought. I tend to forget about bees in winter.
Great pic and poem! One hopes they make it through the winter OK. Bees have it very tough these days!
Beautiful pic and words!
Drowsy drones puts me in mind of warm weather……so, bees hibernate in the Winter? Their cosiness appeals to me, as does your photo.
Hello XXXX! I have nominated you as a ‘very inspiring blogger award nominee’ so if you have a moment please visit the link below to find out more about it. It is one we give to each other, as bloggers we have found inspiring! Regards. Riccardo link : https://riccardobarcucciphotos.wordpress.com/2015/01/15/very-inspiring-blogger-award-nominee/
Riccardo, Thank you so much for the nomination. I am honored by it. But because I like to keep my blog clean and simple looking I won’t do the “process” of the award. Thank you again for the encouragement. Very Best, Catherine
Sorry for the XXXX. I was in a hurry and this is the best way to make mistakes! 🙂 Cheers. Riccardo
🙂
Lovely!
another one straight to my heart
I liked!
Reblogged this on Susannah's Journey and commented:
Gentle thoughts for a winter’s day…
‘thrum’ … Great word !
Beautiful, thanks you’ve said it all in words and image!
I love bees…love this peaceful photograph.
Members of my garden club just had a lively discussion of the novel “The Bees” by Laline Paull yesterday. I so wish I had seen your poem in time to read it to them as it would have fit right end with our discussion, the honeyed foods we enjoyed, and our thoughts of the hives in winter.
Sounds like a lovely time. Now I’m off to investigate Paull’s ‘The Bees’. Best, Catherine
Beautiful winter view.
mmmm, i hope they are in there sleeping and not run away
Beautiful!
Your photo and words made me realize I’ve never thought about bees in winter. It never occured to me they would stay in a hive. Did I think they migrated? I don’t know. Do they truly hibernate? Off to the Great Google I go!
Oh — I forgot to mention how beautiful the photo is. And I also enjoyed “thrum”.
I’m sure google more than answered your question. Here’s a few fun facts about the hive in the photo. It is no longer an active hive. In the winters we had a little heater going so the whole thing wouldn’t freeze. For a time we kept an electric fence around it to keep the bears from pulling the lid off and scooping out pawfuls of honey – but they just used a branch to reach over and avoid the electric fence! So in the end they outsmarted us and won.
I’ve always smiled at artistic representations of bears stealing honey. It tickles me to know that they really are capable of such cleverness. Of course, the bees may not be so happy about it.
Beautiful 🙂
Ah to sleep all winter!
What a lovely picture! FYI: Bees do not sleep or hibernate, they are awake and “clustering” around the queen to keep her (and the eggs/brood, which are just starting again) warm –almost 90 F ! That’s why winter is so hard on bees, they must constantly eat and metabolize to keep going. The drones are kicked out before winter –just the girls in the hive right now :-))
Thanks for the wonderful explanation several readers have inquired. The hive in the photo is not actually an active hive. For a time we kept an electric fence around it to keep the bears from pulling the lid off and scooping out pawfuls of honey – but they just used a branch to reach over and avoid the electric fence! So in the end they outsmarted us and won. Very best, Catherine
Hi Catherine, those bears are smart! No bears here in Southern Rhode Island where I garden and keep bees (and chickens). I very much enjoy your beautiful photography. Best, Gabrielle
Brrrr, bees buzz inside there to keep things toasty warm. Miraculous “animals!”
Wonderful!!
bees all warm and cozy and sipping on honey…
and we need a few living ones here…
cool
Fantastic image and haiku. What does happen to bees in a freezing northern winter?
It’s very hard to keep bee’s going through the winter in the North country. Often the hive has to be protected from the harsh elements and a little heater is used. The hive in the photo is not actually an active hive. For a time we kept an electric fence around it to keep the bears from pulling the lid off and scooping out pawfuls of honey – but they just used a branch to reach over and avoid the electric fence! So in the end they outsmarted us and won.
Here’s more good bee information from another reader. Uribg wrote- “What a lovely picture! FYI: Bees do not sleep or hibernate, they are awake and “clustering” around the queen to keep her (and the eggs/brood, which are just starting again) warm –almost 90 F ! That’s why winter is so hard on bees, they must constantly eat and metabolize to keep going. The drones are kicked out before winter –just the girls in the hive right now :-))”
Beautiful picture and haiku . So peaceful .
How lovely
Very beautiful and nice!