Swarm Season

Bee Swarm, Leah Yin

The bees are restless and so am I.  There is electricity in the air this time of year, and I suffer from wanderlust along with the bees.  Contained within hives their wild hearts still beat, just like mine.  Once a swarm impulse has begun there is little you can do to stop it.   

Even though my bees may leave me, I understand.  Wanderlust is a powerful emotion, and I am a longtime sufferer.  I am bound to responsibility as they are bound to their queen.  But I still daydream about running away, traveling, experiencing new adventures.  And while I would be devastated, I understand.  My heart travels vicariously with them. 

That’s why I love them so much.  There are no guarantees. 

This evening a small swarm decided to rest in Beeman's garden.  He was not so secretly hoping they were my bees, but I know they haven't left me.  Not yet. 

This will be their new home.  His garden is beautiful, isn't it?  I agree. 

Catching them requires some effort.  You have to earn them.  Nothing worth having should ever come too easily (says the girl taking the pictures). 

There you go, little bees.  See if you want to stay... we hope that you do.

And just like that, a new hive is born.  The origin of the queen is a mystery.  She could be a marked, mated queen that just this morning belonged to someone else.  Or she could be a feral virgin just starting out.  I hope it is the latter, it sounds so much more delicious.