Last (southern) spring I happily demonstrated how docile a bee swarm is with a video of me stroking the swarm. This year, I decided to go a little further and actually stick a hand in. As it turns out, taking a selfie video of oneself  negotiating a buzzing mass is a little difficult so I repeated the experience a few times, hence the second video where a helpful assistant held my iPhone.

Not quite at the being covered all over with a suit made of bees stage yet. But hey, who knows?!!

And peeps, next time you're surrounded by 10,000 or more flying bees or notice a mass hanging off a tree just realise they're not out to get you; they're just looking for a new home and until they have one to protect, they're not interested in guarding their honey and brood from you. And maybe don't squish any: that's asking for trouble.

Mia

 

 

The bees in the backyard are at it again. This time, we had time to catch some video of the action as the bees ramp up to a swarm and then gather on the cherry blossom tree across the road.

Surprisingly early and also on a rather cold day, one of the three hives in the backyard swarmed. Thankfully they didn't go far (about ten metres). Fortuitously, Mia was home and saw them which meant they were easily captured.

The flecks which look like a dirty lens are actually thousands of bees flying around the backyard.	Thankfully the bees decided that swing seat was a good place to wait out whilst the scouts find a new home.
Andrew was not the only one to get suited up. Catching a swarm is a bit of science and art rolled together.	With a bit of persistence, the swarm is soon a hive.