Back among friends

Thirteen days since we last saw the bees - far longer than we would normally leave them unmonitored at this time of year. In this case, we got away with it - this is the now much-recovered sick colony. They just quietly got on with expanding their numbers and collecting some nectar. There is no particular story with this picture - it's just nice to catch her on the edge of the frame for a high contrast background. And look at the undivided attention all around her. I promise no-one was asked to pose

Elsewhere, there is much greater chaos - some goings on that I simply don't understand yet - but there are bees and there are queens and they all seem happy - there might even be a little honey there too

The extra is symptomatic of the time of year. Everyone knows bees collect honey and pollen. They also bring water into the hive, so they can evapourate it like sweat, to keep the colony cool on days like yesterday and today. But this is none of those: it is resin from trees, brought back to mix with wax and enzyme secretions produced by the bees themselves. This creates propolis, the sticky substance they use for lining cells, filling in cracks and making things stick together. They make it all the time, but there is always a burst of production after mid-summer, as they try to make everything secure against winter weather and intruders

Suitably prompted, I have started making enquiries about buying autumn treatments against Varroa and syrup feed for winter preparations. Thanks team