Save the Bees

My balcony garden is a little ecosystem. In hot summer, honey bees, hover flies and even bumble bees drop by frequently. Bees especially love the oregano. They just can't get enough of it.

But last year in May I drove a carpenter bee away when she was trying to build a hatching chamber in the door stopper. I truly regret that. I waited and waited this year, no more carpenter bees show up.

I love bees. I love their humming and buzzing. I love seeing them busy collecting nectar and pollen. They are an indicator of a good balanced garden.

A few days ago I watched a documentary, about the vanishing of honeybees. I was surprised of how little I know about them. Commercial bees have a tough and short life. They are constant on the road being hauled across the country to pollinate crops and fruit trees. I also found the answer to my question - why bees never are interested in the bright colored hybrid flowers. That is these flowers are not natural, they are man-made artificial flowers which do not provide the food for bees.

I also learned that bees like purple, blue, white and yellow single petaled flowers. I will grow these flowers in the future.

Look at them. How amazing these tiny creatures are...