World Bee Day
I hated bees. Unlike spiders, which can be eliminated with a can of Aqua Net and a lighter, bees posed a real threat: I'm allergic to their venom ergo I always fled rather than battle. Imagine my horror when a rather large bee decided to make a gesture of goodwill for the entire Bee Race. It was the summer of 2010.
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It promised to be a warm summer day. I took my coffee and laptop onto the back deck for a little blogging before it got too warm. I love sitting out here. I love the view and the sounds. It's early. We're so far removed from town that I occasionally catch a deer outside our fence.
Holy shit! This huge bee just landed on my coffee cup and took a drink! I froze because it looks like a bumble bee. Those can sting multiple times.
I snapped a picture and retreated inside, abandoning my coffee and laptop. I returned a half hour later. It was a carpenter bee, a docile species compared to most others.
Our relationship grew over the summer. I would bring a sliced peach outside. She seemed to love the natural sugar. I also offered a tiny bit of sugar water. She began to trust me enough to land on my laptop and groom her face. She would alight on my outstretched hand. She sometimes settled on my head without minding if I moved a bit. Her life was brief. I was sorry to see summer end.
The following summer contained more carpenter bees than I ever imagined. They bore into our neighbor's shed beams. Poor Mike spent weeks trying to keep them away.
The carpenter bees have returned, beautiful queens probing my deck posts and beams in search of a nesting place. I adore these placid gems. Their buzzing is hypnotic. They’ll keep the wasps at bay. It takes a lot of effort to piss off a carpenter bee (they’ve survived the slimy confines of Nutmeg’s mouth without offering a sting).
I didn't lose my fear of honey bees, nor my disdain for bumblebees. I learned that these bees wouldn't attack me if I remained still and respected their urges to explore what I'm eating or drinking.
I also learned that bees are dying on a large scale. We're doing our future a great disservice. Yes, I've gone on this bee tangent before. I'll make it brief.
The United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization has since designated every May 20th as World Bee Day to draw attention to their plight and our ignorance.
Why a World Bee Day?
By observing World Bee Day each year, we can raise awareness on the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy, and on the many challenges they face today. We have been celebrating this day since 2018, thanks to the efforts of the Government of Slovenia with the support of Apimondia, that led the UN General Assembly to declare 20 May as World Bee Day.
The date for this observance was chosen as it was the day Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern apiculture, was born. Janša came from a family of beekeepers in Slovenia, where beekeeping is an important agricultural activity with a long-standing tradition.
Today bees, pollinators, and many other insects are declining in abundance. This day provides an opportunity for all of us – whether we work for governments, organizations or civil society or are concerned citizens – to promote actions that will protect and enhance pollinators and their habitats, improve their abundance and diversity, and support the sustainable development of beekeeping.
Our house in "town" doesn't have many bees at all. We have one carpenter bee hanging around, and I might encounter a honey bee on occasion. Much like last year, wasps love to visit. I've seen only one European Paper Wasp so far. Last year, I befriended a few and, just like with my carpenter bees, I take treats outside for them to snack on. They land on my hand or arm or head.
Don't do this if you're allergic to venom. Serious, people. I've had a few regular paper wasps come harass me.
Meh. May your Bee Day be filled with eloquent buzzing. Celebrate bees and all they offer us.
And, if you're curious, visit FAO's Global Action on Pollination Services for Sustainable Agriculture.