I was wondering the same. It seems that about every fourth of fifth bee returning has pollen at my hives. I'm assuming the others have nectar but I'm not sure. I have also been watching the bees in my garden and noticed that most are collecting nectar, and have no pollen on their legs, although I have seen bees collecting nectar with pollen, just not recently.
Watching the bees shooting in and out of my hives, I have been wondering how many foraging trips they make a day? Some of the bees I have been observing closely that are foraging in the field have, as one of the books I have read clearly stated regarding bee's lifespan during the summer months, almost "literally flown their wings off." Their wings have appeared to be fragile and brittle looking, one smaller than the other like it was an older bee.
Watching the bees shooting in and out of my hives, I have been wondering how many foraging trips they make a day? Some of the bees I have been observing closely that are foraging in the field have, as one of the books I have read clearly stated regarding bee's lifespan during the summer months, almost "literally flown their wings off." Their wings have appeared to be fragile and brittle looking, one smaller than the other like it was an older bee.
