Beeing aware

Others have posted honeybee pictures, so I thought it was time for me to give this Bend, Oregon hymenoptera member it's debut. I have always loved watching these little critters and have been amazed, like so many, by their behavior. Years ago, when reading the 1962 nature journal, Stalking the Wild Asparagus by Euell Gibbons, I remember Gibbons explaining how to locate a beehive. He suggested you put blue chalk on the butt of one of these little guys to identify your subject, then watch which way he flies off, time how long he's gone, get a bucket of sugar water and place it a short distance from the flower in the departure direction and hope the little guy is lured to your treat. If you are lucky, he selects your dessert rather than the flower. He stays a while, feasts and then flies off. This procedure is repeated, moving your sweet nectar continually in his departure direction, hoping he'll find you. Finally, our friend returns so quickly you know you're near his home. Then, Eureka, you see him come out of the old tree. I don't remember what you do once you find the hive, but it probably involves getting stung a bit in exchange for fresh honey. I have never forgotten this story and often imagine trying my hand at it. Of course I never have, but now that I've told you how it's done, "bee" my guest.