Lately, the weather has become noticeably more comfortable.
Honeybees seem to be more sensitive to the summer solstice than to the autumnal equinox, and it seems that their shift in direction inside the hive also begins around the summer solstice.
But for us “senior foragers”—humans, that is—this cooler weather is a welcome relief.
During the height of summer, we would head out to the apiary at daybreak.
But by then, the first wave of honeybees was already returning to the hives,
carrying nectar and pollen.
The way they shoot out of the hive entrance one after another reminds me of Galaxian. (A little too old-school?)
Honeybees are early risers.
But by late afternoon, even though the sun hasn’t set yet, most of the foragers have already returned to the hive.
Very few bees head out on new flights.
Apparently, honeybees have a pretty early dinner time.
That’s when the density of bees inside the hive is probably at its highest.
The hornets, dragonflies, praying mantises, spiders, frogs, and birds all head home, too.
The time of sunset has been getting noticeably earlier as well.
The view of the setting sun from BeeCamp is beautiful,
and on these long autumn evenings, we’re starting to think,
“Maybe it’s time for us to have some fun, too.”
The dragonflies do a great job keeping the mosquitoes down.
Perhaps it’s time to call on our BeeCampers to come out and play?