June 2023 Bees
When looking at the wetlands from our balcony we could just make out lots of flying insects around a bush near the creek. The X in the photo marks the spot.
Thru binoculars we could see an imense cluster of bees hanging onto a shrub. Other bees were zipping around.
After realizing that this was a swarm of honey bees we wondered if someone would like the swarm. We remembered that Vald, the person who repaired our balcony and who fixes the dry rot in the townhomes, had been talking about keeping bees. So Yan call up Vlad. And Vlad said he would be over in a flash.
Here is Vlad in his beekeepers outfit. Shorts, short sleeve shirt and a hat. He also brought a box. Vlad explained that he took a fast shower which seemed to him to be more important than protective clothing.
Vlad quickly aproached the swarm.
Here Vlad puts his box below the swarm.
Next Vlad shook the branch with the swarm so that the bees fell into his box.
VladBees.MOVThis video shows Vlad capturing the swarm. It runs for a minute and 40 seconds. To see it, first use the pop-out button in the upper right corner.
Vlad waited about twenty minutes for all the bees to get settled in his box. He then taped the box shut, put screens over the openings and carefully placed it on the passenger seat of his truck.
The next day Vald moved the hive to a permanent home.