Photographer’s Day Book
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April
29, 2003
 What do you suppose is going on here? This large cluster of bees was clinging to the side of the small dock at Kirby Park, in the upper slough. 
Here’s a likely explanation from the University of Georgia bee page: When spring “nectar flows” begin, bee populations grow rapidly. By April and May, many colonies are crowded with bees, and these congested colonies may split and form new colonies by a process called “swarming.” A crowded colony rears several daughter queens, then the original mother queen flies away from the colony, accompanied by up to 60 percent of the workers. These bees cluster on some object such as a tree branch while scout bees search for a more permanent nest site – usually a hollow tree or wall void. Within 24 hours the swarm relocates to the new nest. One of the daughter queens that was left behind inherits the original colony.  A Great Egret launches out of Strawberry Lagoon – note the droplets falling from the feet. |
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