Bees and butterflies

Jilda and I  marked something off our goals-todo-wish-vision board list that has been lingering...for three years. I know she will write about it tonight so I won't steal her idea so if you want to know you'll have to visit her blog. Click here.

I took my morning coffee down to my observation chair. It's under the peach tree which is about 15 feet from the beehives.

I fretted last night that I hadn't secured the queen bee yesterday when I captured the swarm. It was cool this morning and while bees are industrious, they are not fans of cooler weather. So I sat there.

Off in the distance, I heard a woodpecker on a dead tree. I knew it was dead because time has taught me the difference in timbre (excuse the pun). I know the difference in the sound when woodpeckers peck on live trees and dead trees. I thought about those things this morning while I waited for the bees.

After about 20 minutes, I noticed bees yawning at the two hives I brought in last Saturday, but none were stirring at the hive where I rehomed the new hive. So I sat.

Ol' Hook sat beside me. He looked up a few times as if to say, "Why is it we're sitting here instead of walking and chasing squirrels?"

I was about ready to head back to the house and admit defeat when I saw a bee come out onto the landing and look around. Soon a couple more came down and launched off toward the blueberry bushes.

Soon the hive was alive with activity. We now have three hives instead of two.

This much I've learned –  Having full knowledge apiary science going into this venture would have been ideal. But how often are we faced with situations where we have to make the best of what we know?

I think it's still way too early to pat myself on the back, but I do think with time I can wrap my arms around the effort.

With all the crazy things happening in this world today it's easy to lose sight of the little things that play an integral role in this life.

I've become a fan of bees and butterflies.