Bee watching

[JackM]

Just some stupid observation stuff that has brought out some questions.  I find these creatures to be much more fascinating than I had anticipated.  I have a heck of a time staying out of the hives and leaving them alone.

So, both my hives the bees seem to like to land and enter the hive on the left side, which is West.  Is this a 'normal' type behavior?  BTW both hives built up on that side first and progressed toward the other side as it grew.  Of course this isn't important, just curious.

I also have noted that the hives have orienting flight 'times' and all the newbees are orienting about the same time of day for about the same length of time.  How curious.  LOL.  Your bees do that too?

Any other idosyncrasies that you have noticed?

[AllenF]

They will land anywhere they want.   The hives built up on that side first.   They use the same landing pattern until things make them change.   

[Joe D]

Yep, they are fascinating to watch.  I just go out to the yard and watch a little most every day.

Joe

[BlueBee]

It's also very interesting to see them pouring out of a hive and swarming, but that's probably not something you want to see the first year :)

[mikecva]

If you decide to use an entrance reducer, I suggest you put it on at night. One of the beeks I mentored for put one on when the foragers were (about 11ish) and was surprised to watch the bees come back to the hive and have a hard time finding the entrance.  :bee: The more I watch the bees the more trouble I get into with my wife. (for some reason she thinks I should be doing my other chores.)  -Mike

[carlfaba10t]

Hey Mike,was wondering if our wives might be related Ha! mine is jealous of all the attention i give the little girls at the bee yard! 

[dprater]

First year for me and I also love to sit and watch the bees. I sit about 10 ft away and use my binoculars, neighbors probably think I nuts but I'm OK with that! I see lots of things with the binoculars I would miss with just my eyes. Give it a try you'll love it.

[tejones121]

I was watching mine today and noticed that three bees stood at the entrance, facing the entrance, and buzzed thier wings nonstop for several minutes. They did not move even though forager were coming and going overtop and around them. Whats that about?

[hardwood]

Either ventilating the hive or spreading pheromone.

Scott