We were working in the garden this weekend and had to walk by the bees a number of times. They were very active and I really enjoyed hearing the sounds of the hive. The honey flow should be done until this Fall so I don’t know what they are so busy doing. We have noticed them in great number on the corn tassels but it seems strange that they would be so active for that.
Anyhow, we need to harvest the honey soon so I will know better then how this year has gone for them. Press the arrows below to hear some sounds I recorded near the hive. You may have to adjust your volume.
[audio:https://myhomeamongthehills.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/bees3.mp3] [audio:https://myhomeamongthehills.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/bees4.mp3] [audio:https://myhomeamongthehills.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/bees5.mp3]
You said –
The honey flow should be done until this Fall so I don’t know what they are so busy doing. We have noticed them in great number on the corn tassels but it seems strange that they would be so active for that.
Bees use both the nectar and the pollen to survive the winter, don’t they?
Absolutely, bees need both pollen and nectar to survive any time. Pollen is protein, nectar is carbohydrates. Corn certainly produces pollen. I just thought it was odd that they were choosing to get pollen from corn instead of some of the other things that were around. I am always amazed at what causes them to pick one source over another. Presumably the corn was a better source than the other stuff I saw blooming so they chose corn.
They still had plenty of time to get more nectar and pollen from the fall honey flow as well. In late summer/early fall, aster and goldenrod and mums (and other stuff no doubt) provide the nutrients that the bees likely use through the winter.