Honey Bee In November

This is the first time I have ever discovered a honey bee – there were at least 10 – in November gathering pollen on an aster. It has been a warm week. Pollen is the main source of food for bees and it is very high in protein. During the cold winter months, bees eat honey for their food supply. They are sometimes given small blocks of pollen as a supplement by beekeepers during the winter, if needed.

This bee is gathering pollen and mixing it with a bit of nectar before stashing it on its two hind legs – tibia portion. There are hairs on the legs which help the “pollen pellets” to stick and not fall off. Scientists have found out it takes a force 24 times greater than the force a bee typically experiences when it flies in order to remove the “pollen pellet.” They are carrying very precious cargo.