...bee-friending

There have been lots of bees enjoying the lavender over the past couple of weeks. Not enough to be considered a swarm, but definitely enough for a small flock. It's been reassuring to see them going about their 'buzzness' in spite of the extreme weather we've been experiencing lately...

...although it probably has taken its toll on the bee population. One afternoon I found this little chap lying on the pavement, too exhausted to move, and had to carefully carry him home, where I revived him with some diluted honey solution. To me, he looked a rather young bee - gangly and skinny, like a teenage boy after a growth spurt. (Having been raised on the stories of Beatrix Potter, anthropomorphism comes naturally to me!) I imagined that he had overestimated his pollen-gathering abilities, flown too far from the nest, and run out of fuel for the journey home. It was lovely to see him paddling around in the honey-water, slurping madly with his proboscis, and then suddenly...

...he unfolded his wings, gave a quick buzz, and flew away. It's funny how the tiniest of tiny acts of kindness, can make one feel so happy, but I guess it's just a case of "every little helps".