I posted this over in the insect ID forum if anyone is interested… Looking for clues about why bees are so interested in my pond this year. I don't mind them at all, but I'm just curious.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1263508/
Bees at the Pond
Don't have a clue. Do you have a beekeeper in your area you could consult.
I suppose I could look for someone.
When our weather gets very hot I have bees at my pond. They land on the rock that is damp...and walk along the top of a few leaves. I think it must be the same ones (or from the same hives) because they show up at the same time of day and land in the same areas, like they know their spot. We have a lot of orange groves in the area with bee hives, so I'm sure a cool drink is just part of their normal pattern of the day. I'm happy they show up!
Good to hear. I'm happy to see them too. But since this was the first year I have seen them, I'm very curious as to what the difference might be. Thanks for letting me know!
My brother keeps bees in Ohio, and with all of the current issues with bee populations, he told me if you see them, protect them as much as possible! There's a huge bee shortage, which will greatly impact crops and the normal nature cycle, very much, over the next few years. Large bee colonies drop dead over night. It's very sad.
I agree. What's happening to bees is just terrible. I adore honey bees and bumble bees. I don't care much for those darn yellow Jacket wasps. Mean old pollinators. LOL. But the others are welcome in my butterfly garden.
We have them every year as well. The bees will land in the bogs and drink. I try to have plants that will draw them as well, be it in the pond or out.
I have had nectarine tree for 3 or more years. No blooms so no fruit and nuraery I bought it from said thats due to a lack of bees. They are very important little creatures to our agricultural. They love my cuphea (bat face plant) and fire spike.
Back when we had orange groves we had a beekeeper that used to come every year and put our his hives down back our place and it really was a huge help.
Bonnie
If you don't have any blooms, then it's not the bees fault. LOL.
I've had bees at my pond for years, and then for about two years no bees. Last year they were back (much to my relief). I make spots for them to get water without drowning themselves...
Yay. I have plenty of leaky spots for them. lol.
I had bees earlier this year but haven't seen any in a while. They were on my water lillies for hours a day! We used to have a hive in an old tree out by my street, but haven't seen them there in a while. They used to swarm and it was incredibly loud!
Funny you should say that, I was just thinking that it seems like i'm not seeing them any more. maybe they have moved on?
They may have fallen victim to CCD (colony colapse disorder)...
Same thing happens here. I find them on my waterlily leaves, and a floating drift wood, I have in the pond. They also love the rocks to sun on. I read lately that some flies can look like a bee. The difference between the two is the fly have 2 wings and the bees have 4. http://beespotter.mste.illinois.edu/topics/mimics/