A Bee called Lazarus

I’m not sure why I feel the need to post this, but the feel-good factor I just felt made up for a pretty crappy few days I’ve been having.

At work, my office has a small balcony. I saw a small honey bee not so much landed as flopped onto it. I noticed she was struggling to walk… stumbling and rolling over. Either she was exhausted or it was too cold, either way, she was on her last legs, literally.

A few minutes later I saw that she wasn’t struggling anymore and just laid there on her back with her legs curled inwards; the typical posture of a dead insect. I didn’t photograph her, but here is how it looked. The only difference is that her wings were out swept like an F-14 when landing.



I don’t know why, but I felt a strong urge to bring her indoors. So, I put her in a paper cup and examined her better. She was completely listless, however, I felt compelled to try to warm her up. I began to huff on her gently. After a few seconds I noticed her hind legs unfurl and stretch out. At first I thought it was some kind of stimulus response, but I wasn’t blowing at her directly, more like heavy breathing into the cup.

I continued for about a minute and lo and behold, her other four legs started moving, then her wings started up. Seeing her wings buzzing was an awesome sight. Shortly after, she was completely back to normal and took flight. I had to recapture her as she buzzed against the patio doors and eventually, let her go on her merry way. She flew straight up into the wild blue yonder.

I hope she lives longs and prospers; perhaps one day I’ll enjoy her honey. One thing is sure, at least she didn’t perish on my watch.

originally posted by: Encia22
I’m not sure why I feel the need to post this, but the feel-good factor I just felt made up for a pretty crappy few days I’ve been having.

At work, my office has a small balcony. I saw a small honey bee not so much landed as flopped onto it. I noticed she was struggling to walk… stumbling and rolling over. Either she was exhausted or it was too cold, either way, she was on her last legs, literally.

A few minutes later I saw that she wasn’t struggling anymore and just laid there on her back with her legs curled inwards; the typical posture of a dead insect. I didn’t photograph her, but here is how it looked. The only difference is that her wings were out swept like an F-14 when landing.

I don’t know why, but I felt a strong urge to bring her indoors. So, I put her in a paper cup and examined her better. She was completely listless, however, I felt compelled to try to warm her up. I began to huff on her gently. After a few seconds I noticed her hind legs unfurl and stretch out. At first I thought it was some kind of stimulus response, but I wasn’t blowing at her directly, more like heavy breathing into the cup.

I continued for about a minute and lo and behold, her other four legs started moving, then her wings started up. Seeing her wings buzzing was an awesome sight. Shortly after, she was completely back to normal and took flight. I had to recapture her as she buzzed against the patio doors and eventually, let her go on her merry way. She flew straight up into the wild blue yonder.

I hope she lives longs and prospers; perhaps one day I’ll enjoy her honey. One thing is sure, at least she didn’t perish on my watch.

You did very well my friend.
And I do hope she lives long and she prospers!

a reply to: Encia22

What a great anecdote. From sorrow to triumphant happiness.

originally posted by: Warpstone
a reply to: Encia22

What a great anecdote. From sorrow to triumphant happiness.

Why is it an anecdote?
It is a true story.

a reply to: Encia22

Sitting in a field of flowers watching the bees "go to work" is very relaxing.

Cheers

a reply to: Encia22

What a beautiful thing you did, I so enjoyed reading that. Thank you.

a reply to: Encia22

The depths of your knowledge continue to astound. Imagine knowing a female bee from a male be on sight.

a reply to: BingoMcGoof

Lol, one of the few things I remember from biology class 40 years ago.

Shorter abdomen, antennae and smaller eyes... also, it was too cute to be a guy. Finally, after I resuscitated her, she didn't stick around for a beer... definitely the fairer sex.♀️

originally posted by: Encia22
a reply to: BingoMcGoof

Lol, one of the few things I remember from biology class 40 years ago.

Shorter abdomen, antennae and smaller eyes... also, it was too cute to be a guy. Finally, after I resuscitated her, she didn't stick around for a beer... definitely the fairer sex.♀️

Workers, who gather pollen, are female.

a reply to: chr0naut

Absolutely, but she wasn't carrying any when she plopped onto my balcony. However, I got up close and personal when she was in the cup and I saw the tell-tale signs I mentioned previously.

a reply to: Encia22

Oh, good to know E. I thought it might have had something to do with the, you know, ''unfurling of the legs''. But why not call her Lazarina.

a reply to: BingoMcGoof

Yep, that would have been a much better name, but I think people wouldn't have understood the connection.

Oops, double post.

originally posted by: Encia22
I’m not sure why I feel the need to post this, but the feel-good factor I just felt made up for a pretty crappy few days I’ve been having.

At work, my office has a small balcony. I saw a small honey bee not so much landed as flopped onto it. I noticed she was struggling to walk… stumbling and rolling over. Either she was exhausted or it was too cold, either way, she was on her last legs, literally.

A few minutes later I saw that she wasn’t struggling anymore and just laid there on her back with her legs curled inwards; the typical posture of a dead insect. I didn’t photograph her, but here is how it looked. The only difference is that her wings were out swept like an F-14 when landing.

I don’t know why, but I felt a strong urge to bring her indoors. So, I put her in a paper cup and examined her better. She was completely listless, however, I felt compelled to try to warm her up. I began to huff on her gently. After a few seconds I noticed her hind legs unfurl and stretch out. At first I thought it was some kind of stimulus response, but I wasn’t blowing at her directly, more like heavy breathing into the cup.

I continued for about a minute and lo and behold, her other four legs started moving, then her wings started up. Seeing her wings buzzing was an awesome sight. Shortly after, she was completely back to normal and took flight. I had to recapture her as she buzzed against the patio doors and eventually, let her go on her merry way. She flew straight up into the wild blue yonder.

I hope she lives longs and prospers; perhaps one day I’ll enjoy her honey. One thing is sure, at least she didn’t perish on my watch.

Nice name!
Lazarus!

Good on you!

I just learned, this summer, that worker wasps basically get left out to die once all warm weather duties are fulfilled and cold weather starts setting. They basically fly around aimlessly until they die. I can’t remember where I came across the video about it but, the point of it was having empathy for its plight.

As a person with severe allergies, I scoffed at the notion of me ever providing aid, of any sort to a small spawn of satan that could end my life.

The video demonstrated how sugar water could help as an alternative food source. Cool video… whatever lol

Well, I guess I am evolving or something because I made sugar water for two of those evil bastards.

a reply to: Encia22

I briefly worked as a beekeeper when I was young , my friends dad owned a large honey business and he used to joke he had over 5 million employees 3 of them were human .

I did my job release with him 2 weeks of working full time before you left school but I helped put out hives other times and he had crazy amounts of honey in 40 gallon drums for bottling.

About 30 years ago I had the opposite of what you did I found a bumble bee exhausted with the heat in my kitchen window almost dead and picked it up with a scraper and put it in the cold box of the fridge for a minute then lifted it out and placed it in a tulip in the garden .

The next day nature showed me why there is a word beeline , I came in from work had the kitchen door open and the corner of my eye caught sight of something a bumble bee flew straight up to my face inches away made a few buzzing noises and turned and flew away but in a crazy straight line I would have thought impossible had I not seen this with my own eyes .

I got a whole new perspective on the natural world that day and never forgot it .

a reply to: Encia22

Lazarus is sweet. Have you met her half-brother Eric?

a reply to: Encia22

The world will now get more honey! Love this!

a reply to: MagesticEsoteric

Yes, nature and the circle of life can be cruel. I'm happy you did that for them, MagesticEsoteric, looking past your fears and hatred of them.

a reply to: stonerwilliam

That's a lovely story, stonerwilliam! I never thought of cooling them down in that way, but it makes sense. I think bumble bees can be much more interactive with humans, as it demonstrated to you with that thank-you visit.

In fact, now I remember a video about a woman and a wingless bumble bee... a must watch!