Drinking bees

Trying to get a few things done in the garden during lunchtime the last couple of days, I noticed that the honey bees were very interested in my little seedling cups on the driveway.

Noisily buzzing, a steady stream of bees landing, drinking (I assume), then flying off. It gave me a chance to get up close and personal with them.

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I'm not sure why the bees were choosing these repurposed yogurt cups for a drink, as the soil in them is damp but not overly wet.

There is a pond nearby you know, and they usually go there for water. Maybe the pond water is a bit too funky right now? (It's that time of year.)

Or maybe they are going to the pond too -- I didn't check.

Perhaps there is something in the soil in these pots that they like the taste of, some salt or mineral, and they're not really drinking at all. Does anybody know?

I'm glad they chose these pots as they're much easier to photograph! (and fun when you don't refocus!)

I'm a bit worried that they were traveling to and from the direction of my neighbor's house -- the one that reaches for a can of bee and wasp killer before thinking about other options. Maybe they're just flying past his house... I'll see what I can find out.

Will local beekeepers be interested in relocating a hive if they can? I'll check around.

I'm glad I got the chance to see the bees this way. Later in the season they'll be so quickly moving from bloom to bloom, good photos will be a challenge.

Thanks bees, even if you do keep sticking your tongues out at me!


(Bees are one of my favorite things to photograph!)

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