I saved a bee today!
Discussion
Warning - this is a 'cool story bro' and so not very interesting if you're not really into nature!
When I got up this morning, I found a 'fully-striped livery' bumble bee on my bathroom windowsill. I think it had come in yesterday, although I didn't see it. The poor thing was still alive, but barely. Not animated at all, even when gently poked.
I put a little bit of honey on a dish, and carefully lifted him onto the plate, near the edge of the blob of honey. He immediately extended his proboscis ( I think it's called ) and presumably began eating. It's little body was moving in and out, almost like a concertina! I was fascinated to see him up close, I loved his colourful fur, and his stubby little legs. He was a beautiful little creature.
After about 20 minutes of me not being sure if it was helping much, he suddenly withdrew from the honey, and started to preen his face and antennae with his front legs. He began to walk around the dish with some conviction, and stand tall, whilst buzzing his wings more and more.
I went outside holding the dish, and after some more buzzing he suddenly took off from the dish, and flew up and away over the garden wall at a hell of a pace!
I know this isn't a terribly exciting story to relate, but I wanted to share it because it gave me such delight to have helped a tiny little insect that was near death, to get back to his hive and hopefully continue where he left off before becoming trapped in my bathroom. With all the doom and gloom of Covid and politics, a little thing like this lifted my spirits like nothing else. I feel really fortunate to have had such a lovely affirmation with nature today.
When I got up this morning, I found a 'fully-striped livery' bumble bee on my bathroom windowsill. I think it had come in yesterday, although I didn't see it. The poor thing was still alive, but barely. Not animated at all, even when gently poked.
I put a little bit of honey on a dish, and carefully lifted him onto the plate, near the edge of the blob of honey. He immediately extended his proboscis ( I think it's called ) and presumably began eating. It's little body was moving in and out, almost like a concertina! I was fascinated to see him up close, I loved his colourful fur, and his stubby little legs. He was a beautiful little creature.
After about 20 minutes of me not being sure if it was helping much, he suddenly withdrew from the honey, and started to preen his face and antennae with his front legs. He began to walk around the dish with some conviction, and stand tall, whilst buzzing his wings more and more.
I went outside holding the dish, and after some more buzzing he suddenly took off from the dish, and flew up and away over the garden wall at a hell of a pace!
I know this isn't a terribly exciting story to relate, but I wanted to share it because it gave me such delight to have helped a tiny little insect that was near death, to get back to his hive and hopefully continue where he left off before becoming trapped in my bathroom. With all the doom and gloom of Covid and politics, a little thing like this lifted my spirits like nothing else. I feel really fortunate to have had such a lovely affirmation with nature today.
Hello everyone! Well, I must say I am delighted and even a little bit moved with all your lovely responses. Thank you so much, it's made me smile in the midst of a rather difficult week or so.
It's life-affirming that so many other people gently care for our precious nature, and derive such pleasure from getting up close and personal with all our creatures.
A couple of things - firstly, the posters who mentioned that honey is a bad idea to use - duly noted, and I shall go for the sugar water plan next time. With regard to some people questioning the ratio, apparently according to this website (Backyard Beekeeping) it should be two parts sugar to one part water. Seems that this then mimics the syrupy type consistency of honey.
I've also cleared a ten foot strip of flowerbed in my garden, and planted 'Bee Bombs' - these are clumps of wildflower seeds, especially good for our stripy little friends.
It would be great to see any pictures posted up of bees taken in people's gardens, if you have any!
Anyway once again, thanks everyone for their contributions, and I look forward to reading other success stories too!
It's life-affirming that so many other people gently care for our precious nature, and derive such pleasure from getting up close and personal with all our creatures.
A couple of things - firstly, the posters who mentioned that honey is a bad idea to use - duly noted, and I shall go for the sugar water plan next time. With regard to some people questioning the ratio, apparently according to this website (Backyard Beekeeping) it should be two parts sugar to one part water. Seems that this then mimics the syrupy type consistency of honey.
I've also cleared a ten foot strip of flowerbed in my garden, and planted 'Bee Bombs' - these are clumps of wildflower seeds, especially good for our stripy little friends.
It would be great to see any pictures posted up of bees taken in people's gardens, if you have any!
Anyway once again, thanks everyone for their contributions, and I look forward to reading other success stories too!
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