December pollen (in PNW)

[Dane Bramage]

I was surprised to see quite the activity from my colonies today.  It was 50-52°F max, but quite sunny.  They were bringing in a white pollen and also a bright orange pollen.  Here are pix:







I'm guessing the first (white) is likely from the Fatsia-Japonica, which is currently in bloom (& was being foraged in earnest).  Here's an image from last year ~>


The bright orange looks like dandelion.  Unsure where they are finding it this time of year but, good for them!

Anyone else in the Northern latitudes getting pollen atm?

Cheers,
Dane

[Cindi]

Dane, again, beeeeautiful pictures.  That Fatsia-japonica blooms have a striking appearance to the Garlic Cloves, well not really close, but quite much the same.  The scent from this species of garlic (the flower) is very, very sweet and beautiful, have that wonderful day, Cindi

[Kathyp]

same here.  i see nothing in bloom.  not even dandelion, but they were bringing something.  of course, now it's freezing and the east wind has kicked up.....

[jhs494]

I noticed our bees bringing in two types of pollen myself. The same bright orange that you have described and a really bright yellow.
We do have a few Dandelions out and about four yellow roses left with blooms that are so tight the bees would need crowbars to get into them. The girls had quite a bit of this yellow. I am not sure but there is a deep valley within a half a mile and perhaps they found some Golden rod down in the bottom that hasn't been hit by the frost.
This isn't the PNW like you but it still caught me by surprise to see it.

[msully]

Seeing the same thing in Vancouver, WA.  Pollen coming in and the girls acted like there was a flow on yesterday, until the east winds drove them back into the hives...