Visitation by the Bees

Never a dull moment here in the rural district of Puna on the Big Island of Hawaii. Choosing to retire in such a different place than California's northern (northern) Humboldt County meant learning a new way of living -- culturally and environmentally. So, our learning curve has included cesspools, water storage and treatment, 140" of rain a year, completely different growing patterns and seasons, etc..

However this week we got to experience a swarm of bees! We had seen hand made signs posted around on trees along the side of the road that offered bee relocation. And, all it took was a shout out to our local collection of friends and we had the answer we needed -- "The Bee Whisperer" of course! We made a phone call, got a reply back and a visit scheduled.

We first noticed a very large distraught collection of bees (several hundred) on a walk through the garden yesterday. They were focused on the branch of a bush back near the pineapple patch and the compost pile.

The queen had moved herself from one place to another, taking most of her hive with her, but in the last 48 hours, the torrential rains had confused some of the hive. Yesterday's mass of several hundred had diminished by today to only a few dozen.

It was amazing to watch our bee caretaker (whose family has over 90 hives)  gently probe the remaining clutch of bees with his bare hand as he examined them. He was able to determine that a queen had been there, had marked the branch for temporary shelter, and that most of the bees had already followed her. With only a few breaks break in the weather and some sun, the remaining bees have had a chance to dry out and head on out. Tonight only a few stragglers remain and, since it is (again) raining, they may delay their final departure until tomorrow. (We're all too familiar with flight lay overs, right?).

Thanks to the folks at Paradise Nectar here in Puna!
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Check out their website: Paradise Nectar in Puna