For Love {Of Bees and Queens}

Busy as a bee, isn't necessarily what I aimed to be...

         

When I fell off the sanity wagon and let my heart lead me into planting 8 different garden spots on our property (but it is a happy busy).  I have taken out aloes bigger than me, by the dozens,  - and have planted such things as pumpkins, gourds, onions, beets, tomatoes, radishes, herbs, hundreds of sunflowers here and there, tiny spots of grass and all other sorts of flowers.  I am in love with the growing of things.  Totally and madly.

        

As you can imagine, this has led to waking when the sun is rising (quite a moving experience in itself) in order to get all my watering done, and watching to see which gophers are taunting me...

   

Oh, but the sunrise.  

They are no words to describe the sunrise...

So, there I was, minding my own business.  Watering my plants, hoping gophers weren't going to keep pulling my plants straight down into the earth anymore.  Begging them to be nice to me.  And, marveling at wild flowers peeking through the deck...

        

When all of a sudden........

The earth stood still. 

Or seemingly so.

As a buzz, unlike any I have ever heard, hovered over my head.  But I couldn't see a thing.

Bees, I thought.

You see, lately, I have had Bee of the Brain...

        

It started a couple weeks ago, with a giant gift of honey from Mister.  Honey that was filling 100 feet of wall space in a commercial building a mile away (don't worry, he didn't bring me all of that honey, just some).  Honey removed by the beekeepers.

Amazing.

       

        

Last year when I painted Stella Primrose Hawthorn, I also had bee of the brain.  Love for bees.  Passion for their well being...

   

As I still do...  (Stella canvas print available in my shop)

       

So, when I heard that ever so loud bee buzz, I telephoned Mister Lovee.  He asked if I knew where they went?  But I told him that, the sound was loud, and then gone...

So, we both shrugged and went on our day.

Until yesterday.

When I noticed extra bee activity in our garden...

   

When the bees are here in abundance, I always keep doing my work amongst them and never get stung.  But I am well aware of the dangers of agitating masses of bees.

Mister tried to get them to go away with a little water spray.  Until I screamed LOOK! and pointed at one of the pecan trees...

 

        

   

Mister had not seen what he was standing next to.  And when he did, he promptly put the water down.

I was amazed, and filled with chills.  I have had so many worries about bees disappearing, that I was over-joyed to see so many in one place.

We quickly dialed up the beekeeper...

   

I picture the beekeeper smiling like a wise man, seated on a small hill in paradise, while he said...

Have no fear.  The bees chose a place where they felt safe, to stop and rest.  They are simply resting their queen... (who by the way, is in the center of the bee mass)

       

He said the bees will not stay.  They will leave soon, and find a place to live elsewhere... 

The dogs have shown no interest in the bees at all. 

I stand, watching, quiet.  Careful.  Amazed.  Overjoyed.  Thankful.  

Wondering what the queen looks like.

Wondering, what it feels like to be queen bee.

Wondering if everything is okay in the bee world.

Thankful that they stopped here, and, that I am able to have this experience.

My Dad said the same thing happened in our family home garden last year and the year before that.  I was surprised.  Then he said in a soft intense voice, "Wow, such amazing creatures, bees, just awesome..."

       

Turns out, I could never be as busy as a bee ;)

I can't think of a bigger sign, for me to finish my giant painting I started in August.  Bees and all...

Can you?

   

And so, as soon as I hit publish, that is exactly what I shall do.  It has been a long week of late dinners, university graduation parties, visits, dressing up.

It is time for my big hat, a long cotton gown, and a palette filled with paint...

Yes indeed....

Have you ever had an experience, of the Bee variety?

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

      

(When Fairytales Come to Life) 

Off I go, to paint the afternoon away...
 

 

♥ ,V

 

See you soon ;)

ps:  Lady Lamb, the Beekeeper: I like this, very muchly  :)

pss:  Tori and Cyndi paired up for a song, have you heard it?  What do you think?

psss:  I took a video of the bees.  I will share it soon :)

pssss:  Waiting impatiently for me to get off the computer :)))

      

Comments

[Cassandra]

My girls and I studied bees last year. We get quite a lot of them since we built our yard up with life. They are AMAZING indeed. I've never seen anything like your photos, though. Thanks for sharing that!

[Alia]

There are always so many magical goings ons in your world. Bees are so wonderful, that must have been an amazing experience. I got chills just looking at the photos!

[mermaiden]

That is fabulous! Oh, I have the Bee Passion.
Several years ago we allowed a hive to remain in our roof until it got to be about 10,000 strong. We had to have it relocated, and I miss it. Honey drips through my ceiling and my bedroom smells divine!
I just posted The Sacred Bee last week:
http://mermaidencreations.blogspot.com/2010/05/sacred-bee.html

[Natasha]

wow, so exciting that is a sight to be seen!

[Deborah]

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeutiful! That sight of the bee-filled tree is quite frightening though...I had a bad bee experience in the pool last summer with a bee terrorist. Oh I LoVe Baby's smile!!! Officer Bill smiles too. Nuttin better then a smiling fur baby. **blows kisses** Deb

[A Forest Frolic]

That is amazing V, what an experience! I do love all of your bee paintings, they make me smile :) Have fun painting! I've gotten a wild hair up my rear this week too, tee hee...I've been up till 3 am almost every night making stuff and I'm just sitting to take a break now! I'm thinking I'm going to crash this weekend...just in time for packing! Big hugs,

Jamie :)

[vicki cook]

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G story and breathtaking pictures of your visitors!!

Read more in this brief link about what it means: Love. Royalty. Mysteries. Wisdom. http://www.linsdomain.com/totems/pages/bee.htm

- xo

(so glad I can keep in touch via twitter! i will cross-link my blog posts very soon)

[WrightStuff]

Oh yes, I had a similar experience many years ago. I was startled by this intense buzzing and looked up to see light almost blotted out by an enormous black cloud that was moving fast and shifting shape. It was a swarm of bees. I tell you I have never run so fast... they came and went so quickly, it was so strange but something I'll never forget!

[Lynn]

Bees are amazing!
One of our neighbors growing up had bee hives. I remember them swarming on more than one occasion, it was quite a sight to see.

[Sarah]

Amazing! I watched a very interesting programme last night about welcome and unwelcome alien plants and animals in Britain. It was hosted by Bill Oddie, a quite oldish comedian and bird watcher-have you ever heard of him? It amazes me how people can be so famous to someone in one country but never heard of in another. Anyway, bees were the number one welcome alien-honey bees! Love them! My garden is tiny, but it has lots for the bees. This is my greatest excuse for it be(e)ing so messy!
Enjoy your weekend painting!

[Rhonda Roo]

WOW. JUST WOW.

[karin]

whoa! I have never seen anything like that...EVER!
I have a horrible fear of bees, I am glad they did not stop here but so thankful they stopped there.
They must have heard the buzz about sweet Miss Vanessa and Mister Lovee and they knew it was a safe place to rest.

Thank you for sharing.

xoxo
~karin

[eleni]

YOU ARE the queen and all of us (the readers) are the bees who follow and protect you!!!!
the article about how art saved you on crescendoh is fantastic!!!

[Kathy]

I never had a bee-xperience like that but I do talk to bumble bees. The big, fat, furry, roly-poly bumble bees that seem threatening. They zip around the lambs-ear plants and I talk to them gently. They never bother me and I've had quite a few fly right up in front of my face as if listening. This used to delight my daughter to no end and she'd tell her friends, "My mom talks to bees." There you have it. - Kathy

[Kim]

Well Vanessa....when you told me yesterday that you had been out amoungst the bees, I had NO idea just how MANY bees you were playing with!! Wow....how lovely and scary all at once. I adore Bees and what they do for the world!! But at the same time, I am leary of their stings.

The photo of your sunRISE is so beautiful. I just put a photo of my sunSET on my blog a few days ago. Here in California we call a pink sunset "Johnny Appleseed Skies." Isn't that dreamy? Funny that your photo is a rise and mine is a set, but they both have the beautiful and vibrant pinks all about!!

Thank you for sharing your bees (do be careful, won't you?).

Kim
Gerushia's New World

[M.L.]

I'll bet that honey isn't even close to being as sweet as you.

[Marilyn]

The same thing happened in my yard about a month ago. It was amazing and I had never seen it before. My husband just told me the hive in the hole in our tree got too full so the hive split and they created a new queen for the hive that left. I said the next time we should prepare a box bee hive for them and then we would have that beautiful honey. Oh do I love that honey.

[toni linn]

What a great experience!!! I bought 54 mason bees from a guy in Utah last year. They came in a little box and I nailed the box to side of my shed. They came out of their little cells, flew to the neighbor's house in back of me, never to return to their little box. Then some bees built a beautiful nest on the ceiling of the front porch. They kept all solicitors away. I would just point to the nest and the solicitor would split. One day, I was looking at them too long and the guard bee bit me on the cheek. Then the colony collapsed so I scraped the nest off of the ceiling and put it in the shed for a souvenir. You were lucky to see all those bees!!!!

[Shell]

Those pictures are amazing. It's sweet to know they are just resting for their queen bee and they will be on their way again. Thank you for sharing those pictures, I got goosebumps looking at them.

[Mary Lou]

Oh wow. How great!! They must think you are one sweet lady...
You paint in a big hat?
Love your post.

[Tami]

Everyone's a buzz about Vanessa Valencia!! :z

Don't Worry, Bee Happy ;z

[michelle]

Why does this post make me think of Pooh Bear? Amazing photos and so comforting to think there are still swams of bees out there!

[Elaine L.]

Amazing photos!

~elaine~

[Candice]

Beautiful bee photos! My girls and I recently studied bees and one thing we learned is that bees do a dance called the (video on you-tube!)waggle dance. We also learned that it is fun for people to do. :)

[Olive Appleby]

what magical photos.... you are truly blessed to have the bees stop and say hello. I love your dogs too.... we take so much for granted its nice to stop and smell the roses, as they say. Like the bees we are all tuned into one another, we must nurture.... Ciao

[Tristan Robin]

amazing!

we also had a swarm of bees descend on us quite a few years ago. It was actually rather scary - the sky almost was blocked. They covered over about four trees, and the trees looked like a quivering mass of something-or-other ... and the sound was astounding. Like being on the subway platform.

We called a beekeeper, and he came with big boxes and long things kind of like butterfly nets. He just scooped them by the basketful and put them into boxes. It took almost an hour, using ladders and assorted other implements. When he left, there were only a few hundred left ... and they dispersed within a couple of hours.

It was one of the most exciting - and scary - afternoons of my life!

[Linda Diane]

Oh, do keep us posted concerning the goings on of your bees! I just luvs honey with the honeycomb. And what a sweet picture of your fur babies waiting for you. Have a wonderful weekend!

[Teri]

Not only are the BEES amazing, but your photos of the BEES! You can see every last little detail of them! Thank you for such a wonderful share! They are always around my bare feet when I walk on stones to go to my pond... It's so amazing to me to be able to walk amongst them while they work, and they don't seem to be bothered while I go about mine. Lovely post!

[GG Pinkster]

Among the beams and rafters high, the sunrise shone across an ebony, azure sky. Trumpet flowers dressed in orange did ring, singing and ringing to welcome the queen. Stella who was early morning walking became thrilled indeed, as suddenly she heard the hoofs of a morning trotting steed. And as she looked across the blooming green, a hatter did appear passing in the morning of her dreams. Twirling 3 times with the curl of her hair, she listened and heard buzzing flying across the air. It echoed across the season of spring, where the seeds she sowed were beginning to sing. And suddenly amongst it all, was a fanciful procession of the Queen Bee's Masquerade Ball. Stella was thrilled that her bee friends were there, as they soared and flew buzzingly through the air. And the hatter horseman pulled his steed around and Stella smiled at him and gave a courtsey round. From his hand a kiss did fly, landing on Stella's lips with her sigh.
And then, the bees made a magnificent hall, for resting their Royal Queen before the ball. At sunrise, mid-day even sunset, or maybe midnight the ball it was set. Stella knew in her heart mid-day was the call as she snuggled into her brightly colored shawl.

And yes we have had a giant honeycomb in our old shed wall! Delicious and dripping with golden and amber and combs for all! Now a beekeeper is here with pastel condo's for the queen and her bees. Happy, happy bees flying in the garden and through the trees.

Happy May Ring* Vanessa and Mister- doggies and bees in your magical desert scene.

[dena miller]

Oh Vanessa,
What lovely pictures of the bees. They truly are amazing creatures! Their importance in our world is so strong, I do not think people realize just how much of an impact the bees make in keeping nature in harmony. Like the rose that has it's beauty, but thorns as well...the bees have their sting. Yet, the wonder that they create and do is immeasurable! I found some good information about the bees at www.burtsbees.com. Check it out if you get the chance.
~~Hugs,
Dena
P.S. sending some love to the furry babies...give them kisses from me.

[Miss Linda]

I adore watching bees....but keep somewhat of a distance. They are truely amazing to watch. Your pictures of them are wonderful. I have never seen so many in one place. Just resting till they find a new place to call home. Thank you for sharing.

[sarah]

One of my favorite authors, Charles de LInt, wrote an entertaining novella called Seven Wild Sisters in which the Bee People played a major role.

While hiking in the PS in February, my husband, friend and I heard a loud droning sound, almost mechanical. We had just turned the bend to start down the peak and a swarm of hundreds and hundred of bees came straight at us!. I yelled duck, and they flew directly overhead. It was amazing and fascinating.

Amazing events at your home, too. It must just feel magical.

[Maggi]

Holy smokes, that is incredible!!! We found a few honey bees in our backyard and promptly gave them room to (hopefully) flourish. I love love love honey! :D

[Cheryl]

My dog Buddy...(a tick hound) likes to eat bees. She jumps in the air and grabs them, chews them-- spits them out, sniffs them and then eats them. Daily. Now, if only I could teach her to eat dust bunnies~

[Jennifer]

oh my! you were welcoming them before they came to your garden! They indeed felt safe there, and had a knowing of your appreciation for them, and your concern for their well being. Now, receive your gift from them..... and be inspired, paint and do share with the rest of us. The queen surely must have bee-lessed you with something....what was she saying to you? oh, do tell if you can!

[two crazy crafters]

I love the Stella print! These little bees are one of natures miracles. Thanks for sharing the amazing photos. Hug your babies for me;) Have a nice day! Twyla

[Justice]

Wow! Those bees are amazing!! Ive never seen so many in one place. Hey are you going to do the "12 Month Craft the World Challenge?" If you havent heard about it check it out at adelle.com.au Im totally going to do it. Sounds soo fun!

[Pat]

I have a friend in Henderson, NV that started feeding bees this spring out on his patio area to enhance their population. He can sit there and they will be on his arms, etc., and never sting. Amazing to me! Your pictures are amazing too ~ thanks so much for sharing your bee adventures! Love, love the photo of the dogs waiting for you.

xoxo
Pat

[Theresa]

Hello Miss Vanessa! WOW - that is all I can truly say to describe your photos. What you have witnessed in your own yard is just truly amazing. I had heard a few years ago that the number of honey bees were dwindling, and this vision of nature was so wonderful and reassuring to see! I haven't had any wonderful bee experiences, but we always try to plant wonderful blossoms that will encourage bees, butterflies, and birds to visit us each year. We revere all of nature's friends, and so we try to welcome them each year with pretty, sweet-smelling flowers to delight them (and us!). The video will be so amazing to see!!! I can't wait to see what your new painting will look like upon completion...and the look of anticipation of your furry babies' faces...priceless!
Hope you are enjoying this wonderful Sunday! :) Theresa

[carolee]

Ah, the Blessed Bee! I've been painting them lately too - aren't they an inspiration?! And what a gift to have them stop and rest a while on your beautiful property. Pure magic, and no wonder at all they feel safe with you. :)

Thanks for sharing, and have to add, I love the photo of your fur babies too! Sending lots and lots of love and healing thoughts to Baby....

~ Carolee
PS - Thanks for the music links too - I hadn't heard the Tori and Cyndi collaboration, but just adore them both- must look for that one!

[Renee]

Amazing pictures. I hope they find a nice home.

We always have bees around all our flowers, I just work around them. Bees definitely have a place in our world.

[Cori. G]

Oh the Bees The BEES!!!! One day last summer I was watering my vineyard and I heard a huge buzzing sound which was quite frightened to say the least. When I turned there was a Ginormous swarm of bees circling my cottage...up above the roof...dipping and plunging. I don't know what they were up to although I imagined they were performing a ballet. As soon as they were here they were gone. It was both afrightening and exhilarating moment.

In the cool of the morning the giant bumble bees have been visiting my poppy field. You know, the ones with the striped fuzzy costumes? They are the silliest and most darling creatures as they twirl about with pollen laden legs, don't you think? Yes, me too!

Ooh! Did you know that today is Roo's Birthday? Yes! Today!
I hope this is the most loveliest of Mondays in your world beloved friendling.
xoxo Cori

[Bobbypin Bandit]

Those bees are awesome. I have nothing but respect for those little creatures. They sense stress and they sting you... almost like they want to say, "snap out of it! I am just flying here." I had some very tasty honey that I bought from the Zapatistas in the jungle near Chiapas.... doesn't taste like honey I have ever had before. I need to buy some more....

[Lisa Golightly]

Loving your pictures and that painting ... ahhhh !!! I have noticed a lot more bees as well here in No CA. Especially bumble bees. Just love them, science still cannot explain how they can fly ! Don't let the gophers let you down !! XO Lisa

[Marjorie]

"Your a bee charmer"!!!! Tee hee....I'm brought to mind of Fried Green Tomatoes now! :) YUMMM look at all that honey, and those beautiful honey bees!! And your lovely paintings,too!! Oh such delights!! :)

[Misha/DawaiOser]

All of the Earth is in love with you and your magical gardens'. Mother Nature is bringing you the best parts: fruit, veggies & bees to show you her bliss and pleasure.

[botox injection]

The garden is magnificent. I'm not really a big bee fun but I do love honey. But those look incredible!

[waterrose]

It has only been in Arizona that I have seen them swarm naturally. In Ohio I only saw them where bee keepers kept them. About a month ago I was visiting a customer, who has a private cactus arboretum and heard a loud buzzing. Looking up there were thousands of bees on the building beam. He had to have them cleared out...too dangerous for visitors.

[SueAnn]

Oh to see that many bees in one places is heart-warming for sure!! I have been concerned about their well being as well!! They are such curious creatures and so needed. What delightful pictures you captured.
I loved the pic of Matty and Baby waiting for you to come out and play! So sweet!
Enjoy your day!
Hugs
SueAnn

[Richard and Jo Anderson]

Bob shared the bee tale this evening with us at MNF here - and gave me the information to google this. Oh Vanessa - you are so gifted, so talented!

Thank you.

RCA and Jo