Hello All,
I'm a first year beekeeper in northern Vermont. Our land has a small pond in the back about 200 feet from my two hives. Lately when stopping at the pond I've noticed about 40-60 bees along a 8 foot section where the vegetation next to the pond is low. At first I thought they were filling up with water, then I noticed that every single one of them was about 3 inches above the water line. I noticed a big pollen layer on the pond a couple weeks ago and was wondering if they might be collecting pollen that settled on shore, or if they're actually getting water...but groundwater, not at the shoreline.
Has anyone seen anything like this and knows what's going on? Any ideas?
I witnessed a little "Wild America" (Marty Stouffer's old show) on the same pond edge. The pond is full of little frogs and one of them took a leap at one of the bees on shore and nabbed it. I could see a couple legs of the bee sticking out of the frogs mouth. The frog held on for a couple seconds then spit her out with her stinger left inside. Bad day for that little frog.
Interesting creatures they are for sure.
Will
I'm a first year beekeeper in northern Vermont. Our land has a small pond in the back about 200 feet from my two hives. Lately when stopping at the pond I've noticed about 40-60 bees along a 8 foot section where the vegetation next to the pond is low. At first I thought they were filling up with water, then I noticed that every single one of them was about 3 inches above the water line. I noticed a big pollen layer on the pond a couple weeks ago and was wondering if they might be collecting pollen that settled on shore, or if they're actually getting water...but groundwater, not at the shoreline.
Has anyone seen anything like this and knows what's going on? Any ideas?
I witnessed a little "Wild America" (Marty Stouffer's old show) on the same pond edge. The pond is full of little frogs and one of them took a leap at one of the bees on shore and nabbed it. I could see a couple legs of the bee sticking out of the frogs mouth. The frog held on for a couple seconds then spit her out with her stinger left inside. Bad day for that little frog.
Interesting creatures they are for sure.
Will