Today I took them a baggie feeder full of 2:1 sugar syrup. It was only 59 degrees this morning and the bees weren't clustered around the opening and weren't flying too much. So I took advantage of the opportunity to peek inside their tree home with my camera.
Here's how the entrance looked this morning. The bees are clearly more inside the tree than out.
A view of the inside reveals bees on top of bees.
I couldn't decide if they were clinging to each other or if there is a shard of rotting wood still in the center of the hollow part of the tree.
It looks as if they are clinging to each other as I get closer inside. I so wish I could see their interior combs and how long they are and how they have been repaired after the tree cutting. But for now, this is the view.
When I opened the hive box on top of the bee tree, I found a totally empty baggie and no bees at all. I guess they were all clustered to keep warm - it was about 49 or 50 degrees last night. When I put the baggie on the frames and slit it, one lone bee came up to greet me.
Your bee tree is so interesting. Thanks for the update. And I'm sorry too to read about the flood.
ReplyDeleteThe bee tree is so facinating. I love reading about it. They must be comfortable in their tree. We have about the same weather, and we have enjoyed the chilly mornings too.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos! thanks for posting this story about the bee tree, i want to see it!
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