Bee tree

Our across-the-street neighbor knocked on our door just after dinner and told us to keep the kids inside because there were a bunch of bees in one of our trees. A swarm!

We learned a little about bees and their habits last year from our bee-keeping neighbors and were very excited to be close to the action. We reassured the neighbors that the bees were full of honey and very mellow right now and not dangerous.

 I let the bee-keepers know about the bees and one came to check on the situation.

After a look she labeled them "very considerate" for picking such an easy place to land. She went home to get a bee box and we took the children out to admire the swarm while we waited.

The box was placed under the tree, she gave the branch a quick shake, and the whole mess of them just went splat.

They landed about half in and half out of the box so we weren't sure for a moment if the capture had worked, but in just a little bit it was easy to see that the bees were moving into the box so the queen landed in the right place.

Watching the bees move in to their new home.

The carpet of bees on the grass moved slowly toward the box and up its sides until all the bees were in. It was amazing. Once it got dark our neighbors came back, put the lid on the box, put it in their little car, and took the bees home.