I was passing by King’s and stopped to update the Apricot Bloom Report. In just a few days we had progressed from one little tree in the orchard behind Jim and Rose’s on US-31 to rows and rows of flowery finery south of the market on M-88. As I framed a shot I saw a man hurrying toward me. “Wanna see something really cool?” he asked. Well, um, yes.
I trotted after him through the rows. “There,” he said, pointing. “It looked like a heart shape a little while ago.” And there it was. The biggest swarm of bees I’ve ever seen.
My guide, who turned out to be installing an electric fence to keep Daisy the orchard mascot from straying into the road, was a font of information. He said the bees had left their overpopulated hive in search of a new home. They were clustered around their queen, and scouts were flying out of the swarm in every direction, presumably accompanied by Realtor bees pointing out the advantages of the hollow tree with the view of the Bay or the rafters an easy commute to the blossoms. OK, he didn’t say that last part.
This is all very complicated and I believe I can do no better than to refer you to the Capital Area Honeybee Stewards website and to the Wikipedia article on Swarming. In the event that the colony decides to settle nearby, the Kings are prepared to offer employment opportunities.
John King says it looks like a good year for fruit farmers. A spell of 70-degree weather in February or March might sound like fun, but it ruins fruit production. This cool spring has been just the ticket. The apricots are in full bloom now. Casey Lapeer, who keeps on top of these matters at King’s, predicts the dark sweet cherries will bloom in 3-4 days. Then the tart Montmorencys, the peaches, the apples last of all. Somewhere in there pears and nectarines will join the fun. I’m determined to document the whole thing this year. Stay tuned.
OK, one more picture of apricot blossoms. Once it finally starts you can never get enough spring.
Torch Lake Views 
flandrumhill
May 9, 2009
Wowee! Had I seen those bees I would have been more likely to run in the opposite direction rather than attempt to take a photograph. Thanks for sharing it though. I’ve never seen anything like it.
The apricot blossoms are just lovely. Spring sure is grand.
uphilldowndale
May 9, 2009
Hooray for spring!
But I’d run for the hills if I saw that swarm of bees…. They make me nervous even though I know the are fascinating wee beasts, I’m sure they would smell my fear and come charging after me.
p.j. grath
May 9, 2009
Norm and Pauline Nielsen have a few apricot trees along M-22 that are the first orchard blooms I see each year between my house and Northport. They are such a welcome sight! Now the first cherry blossoms are beginning to open in a few orchards. Wish I could have seen that bee swarm in person. Their contented humming is very soothing to the ear.
Gerry
May 10, 2009
I must admit that the swarm did not make that contented humming sound that pollen-gathering bees make. It seemed a little . . . tense. Moving house is always stressful.
dmarks
May 10, 2009
I once saw a swarm like that right in the middle of the crowded Meijer’s parking lot.
Gerry
May 10, 2009
Which begs the question: What were they thinking???
giiid
May 12, 2009
This swarm of bees is facinating, and you are such a brave photograph! I use to ran very fast on only one bee, a swarm could make me fly, I think.
Gerry
May 12, 2009
I am reliably informed that the bees are not interested in me unless I threaten their honey. Also, my camera has a zoom lens . . .