Six Impossible Things About Bees

by Raymond Huber
(Dunedin, New Zealand)

Six Impossible Things About Bees

I was eight years old, alone in the backyard, when a swarm of bees flew over me. I remained terrified of the stinging terrors until I was given a beehive for my 40th birthday. Now I live happily with 40,000-odd bees in my backyard.

And I’ve discovered that there are six impossible things about a honey bee:

1. it’s super-intelligent;
   
2. it talks by dancing;
   
3. it has a weapon it can only use once;
   
4. it makes healing honey;
   
5. it has magnetic crystals inside it;
   
6. and it feeds the world.
   
   

Truly a creature from Wonderland!

One of the easiest ways for non-beekeepers to support bees is to leave a patch of lawn unmown. This provides shelter for bees, is a habitat for other insects, and saves petrol. It can be attractive too: I mowed my ‘lawn meadow’ into a fish shape.

I love having bees around because they are wild creatures. Sitting at my computer on a plastic chair in a city of concrete, it’s easy to forget I’m part of the natural world.

Bees bring a little wilderness up to my window.

Above is my favourite characterful bee photo (taken in my garden by daughter, Sophie).

Site owner's comment:

Fantastic photograph. Bees really are beautiful little creatures. Lot's of character in that little bee!  I can't help wondering what she's "thinking"!

What a wonderful submission, thank you!! Yes, I agree, bees really are amazing!

Wildflowers really are wonderful for bees, and I include them in my flower border.

I also allow clover to thrive in my lawn, and a few dandelions pop up here and there, along with self heal.

Raymond Huber is the author of a number of children's books about honey bees.  Read the Raymond Huber interview.