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Here’s a list of possible conversations that these two bees are having at the entrance to their hive…and only one is correct:

1. “Who’s the guy with the camera?”
2.  “It’s a jungle out there.”
3. “Quitting time.”
4. “I don’t know, what do you want to do?”

Number 3. Our bees call it a day between 4 and 5 p.m. in June. There might be a few foragers coming back late, but for the most part, the collecting of pollen or water is finished for the day.

Added note: Our bees “absconded” last December, that is, they abandoned the hive after five years. I removed three of the four hive boxes, leaving one in place. About a week ago I noticed a handful of bees removing debris from the remaining hive. Three days ago hundreds of bees swarmed around the box for about five minutes–the queen had arrived. I hope they’re here to stay.