"Who among us isn't enchanted to see you sipping
nectar from among the petals of a flower? It's a very
reassuring sight, nature at its best, the follies of
our fellow human beings set in perspective, the
miraculous web of life reaffirmed."
- Stephen Buchmann,
Letters From The Hive
Today, I watched a drone at the entrance to the bee hive, my second drone spotting since my guardianship began, and what transpired is told through the photos below.
Drones don't take on any role within the hive while they're waiting around to make it with the queen. They don't help gather pollen. They don't feed the babies. They don't guard the entrance, or clean up or help in making honey. They take up valuable space and resources and usually toward autumn, they will be unceremoniously kicked out of the hive, leaving them hungry, cold and soon to die.
The bee in front tongued him for a minute or so. I
have no idea why she was doing it.
bumped into him and others climbed over him on their way to the entrance.
him around to get him toward the edge of the hive.
it's all downhill from there, but it's not easy.
the drone and begins to lift him just a bit off the box.