The Morton Arboretum had a “bee weekend” on September 10 and 11. Events included lectures in the field about beekeeping and a class on bee photography. I took the photography class. Below are a few of the pictures that I took plus narratives on some of the things that I learned.
Bees have a hierarchical society. The “worker” bees are female. They collect pollen and nectar, as well as tend to the young bees. Thus, when I refer to “she” in the narratives below, I really mean female bee.
The beekeeper prepared the smoker. Smoke is used to calm - or perhaps to distract
- the bees.
The beekeeper smoked the hive. These three hives are part of a group of about 20
hives in this particular field. The Arboretum also has other groups of hives in
other fields.
The beekeeper removed a frame with honeycomb and bees from the beehive. The bees
continued their activities as if the frame was still inside the hive.
The entrance to the hive is at the bottom. The bees were bunched up trying to enter
the hive.
After the demonstration at the hives, we photographers adjourned to the prarie to search for and photograph bees in the wild.
Bees go from flower to flower, collecting nectar and pollen. I like the way she
was sticking her nose into the flower - it looks like she is drilling for oil.
She shared the Goldenrod with a Bumble Bee.
Notice the sack on her rear leg - she has pockets on each rear leg - somewhat like
cargo pants - where she stored pollen.
Actually, all sorts of critters were there.