Bee Swarm
While we staying at Aunt Marvel and Uncle Hootie's house in Birch Bay last week, we woke up one morning to a bee swarm in the backyard.
Not content to just stare at it through the window, I thought I'd get a little closer to take a photo. I believe that my last words to Marvel were, "If they get me down onto the ground, will you drag me inside?" But if I had been her? I would have just let me lie there with my camera, bee stings and stupidity.
NOTE: Don't do what I did. I was able to zoom in with my digital SLR and was also able to zoom in on the photo more in Photoshop. At 25 feet away, I still think that I got too close. Usually I am not such a candidate for the Darwin Awards but this may have qualified me. Instead of being me, just call a local beekeeper to remove the swarm. Typically, bees hanging from objects are honey bees. But you don't want to find out the hard way that what you really have on your property is yellow jackets.
Closer...
And closer...
And closer I crept...
It was at this point that Marvel calmly called out to me from behind the screen door. "You might want to come back inside. They are definitely noticing you." I retreated backwards without managing to trip over the porch. My mother, who is used to my foolhardy behavior, is now reading this and shaking her head. I know what she is thinking. She is thinking, "Did you at least leave a few bottles for my granddaughter before you pulled this stunt? Just in case?" Hey mom! Bee swarms aren't aggressive! Of course, I did not know that BEFORE I took the photo. But still.
Bee Houses Too Large for My Backyard or Anxiety Level. Luckily they are in the UK
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Comments
There are times in my life when I not only shake my head, but it just about comes off my shoulders. Warning - someone who has a parent and two uncles allergic to bee stings should NEVER, NEVER, NEVER go for that Kodak moment lest they find themselves looking up into the eyes of "Dr. McDreamy" asking "Did I get that on film?"
Posted by: Anonymous | July 7, 2006 11:33 AM
Yep, that's what I'm saying. I have no idea what I was thinking. Or, it is more likely that I wasn't thinking! I've been beating myself up ever since. Pretty stupid move. Learn from my stupidity, dearest readers.
Posted by: jm | July 7, 2006 12:32 PM
On the way home were you singing
"There was a bee-i-e-i-eeee sat on a wall-i-all-i all and there it sat-i-at-i-at, and that was all-i-all-i-all"?
Posted by: Gary | July 7, 2006 12:37 PM
My grandfather and father were both beekeepers for many years ... my father was actually allergic too (an epi-pen was always on hand in our house, lol)!
They both removed many swarms like the one you saw ... a swarm of honey bees is an awesome thing that most people never see ... although not the smartest thing, I completely understand the urge to document your experience!
Very cool! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Linda | July 7, 2006 1:54 PM