Then, as I was leaving mom's house, I noted two bees that were absolutely hungry for the hummingbird feeder nectar. I watched those bees for a moment. They were brighter yellow and shiner then the bees in my memory. I began to wonder if I was so far removed from my bees that I didn't recognize them.
I suited up gathered my things, put Dannie on his ripline, and went forth to tend the hive. My intention was to do a deep check of the hive and put the entrance reducer on in preparation for winter. I wanted to check the brood boards and be sure they had stores and if any egg laying was going on. I had had a fear that their new queen had died or was not a good queen as the hive appeared to be struggling.
I did not make it quite that far.
I practiced lighting the fire pellets and stood near the hive. I let the smoke trickle into the hive and I listened to the response of the bees. I listened to my body too and at my accelerated heart rate. I calmed myself using one of the grounding practices from therapy of all things. It is also useful for mindfulness. Observing my senses and body nonjudgmentally.
While my brain is doing all these important things, I judge that the flow of bees in and out of the hive paused. All the girls are safely cleared from the entrance, I tried to move smoothly and swiftly sliding the doorway restrictor piece into place. I could hear and feel the sudden shift of the hum from the hive. I moved the logical brain to non-judgmentally observe, while continuing to fit the piece into place. It feels firm but it wont slide all the way flush. Deciding I will need to lift the hive box and really jostle things about to get the piece in flush. I hesitate to do so. I'm not ready to get them upset. I continue to inspect the outside of the hive and watch for a bit while the girls. I brush spiderwebs off and just look it over.
I realize I am looking at a band of warriors that are not yet sure of my intentions. It then occurs to me that not a single member of this hive will have been worked directly from me alone. I think over my relationship with this new Queen and her small nation. We have barely met. I decide that is enough. I explain to the bees as I move back to observe the hive entrance that it will help them defend the hive better and keep the temperature more stable as it gets colder.
I watch hunters returning with pouches full of light colored pollen land heavily and stroll through the opening. I see one bee come forward and turning around set herself in a stance with her end in the air, little clawed feet holding the board firmly and begin fanning her wings. I think she is fanning the scent of the queen out of the smaller entrance to help guide the new arrivals in past the smell of the smoke.
With some reluctance I remove myself from the hive and return my equipment to its proper storage. I am glad we ended out interaction of a positive or neutral note. I have made a point to stop by the bees and talk to them so that when I next put on my suit and check them we will both be Curious, Content, and Controlled. It seems like a nice place to start from.
