Where are the honeybees?

White clover is blooming everywhere in Kansas City.  I especially notice it growing between the sidewalk and the curb on the street near the Studio.  I park close to the curb, but not too close so I can gingerly step on the green strip, now adorned with white clover.  We also have patches in our lawn.

I wear sandals all the time these days, so I rely on childhood habits; I look carefully before I step in the white clover, having been stung several times while walking in the clover.  Tonight it hit me.  There are no honeybees.  None at all.  I stand on the sidewalk, looking across the lawn of grass with clouds of white clover in front of the elementary school across the street from the Studio.  There should be buzzing, and there should be little bees flying like mad among the white clover blooms. 

There's nothing.  No bees.  Ants on the sidewalk, but no bees.  I check again after I've closed up the shop and approach my car.  No bees.

When I get home, I pull the car into the garage and check out flower plot out front.  No bees.  I look at the white clover patches in our lawn.  No bees.

I think back to my childhood in Virginia and I'm searching my memory banks -- how early do the bees come out to pollinate?  Tough question to answer.  I'm thinking they're usually out and about in early May, as soon as things are blooming.  I just checked the University of Missouri extension web site, and if you are starting a bee hive, you want to start it in April when the bees become active.

Perhaps I'm worrying too much.  I did see a bumblebee over the weekend, so I know the bees are out now.  I'll watch our prairie garden this weekend.  I hope I'll see some activity.

Oh, and I've been 2 groundhogs (or woodchucks) crossing roads this week.  Be on the watch and don't hit one if you can help it. 

I finally finished the birthday sweater for my niece.  Her 1st birthday is tomorrow.  It won't get to her tomorrow, but it'll still be good to wear whenever she gets it!

Comments

[ana]

Now that you mention it, I haven't seen any bumblebees either. I saw a documentary on tv last year about how there has been some terrible illness htting bees in California and other places making it difficult to pollinate the almond trees and other fruit and nuts that depend upon bees for pollination. Maybe the bee illness has come to Kansas City. I;ve seen wasps but no bees. Where are all the bees?!?!?!

As for wildlife, both I and the car next to me slowed on Rockhill to let a young (and foolish) squirrel cross safely on Friday morning. I also have two baby bunnies and several baby squirrels in my yard. I love my little nature preserve! Now if the bees would just come and pollinate all my flowers...

[PlazaJen]

JWo observed on Saturday night just how many bees we have in the yard this year. We had two different kinds, just buzzing the dining room windows during dinner. He attributed it to the reduced use of pesticides in the garden this year. Bees are so necessary to life and food production...I hope it's more of a seasonal thing in the area, versus a die-out or shortage.