Following the Wild Bees : The Craft and Science of Bee Hunting

__Following the Wild Bees__ is a delightful foray into the pastime of bee hunting, an exhilarating outdoor activity that used to be practiced widely but which few people know about today. Thomas Seeley, a world authority on honey bees, vividly describes the history and science behind this lost pastime and how anyone can do it. __Following the Wild Bees__ is both a unique meditation on the pleasures of the natural world and a guide to the ingenious methods that compose the craft of the bee hunter. Seeley explains how one finds a patch of flowers humming with honey bees, captures and sumptuously feeds the bees, and then releases and follows them, step-by-step in whatever direction they fly, back to their secret residence in a hollow tree, old building, or abandoned hive. The bee hunter's reward is a thrilling encounter with nature that challenges mind and body while also giving new insights into the remarkable behavior of honey bees living in the wild. Drawing on decades of experience as a bee hunter and bee biologist, Seeley weaves informative discussions of the biology of wild honey bees with colorful historical anecdotes, personal insights, and beautiful photos. Whether you're a bee enthusiast or just curious about the natural world, __Following the Wild Bees__ is the ideal companion for newcomers to bee hunting and a rare treat for armchair naturalists. A how-to book on an exhilarating outdoor activity and a unique meditation on the pleasures of the natural world Following the Wild Bees is a delightful foray into the pastime of bee hunting, an exhilarating outdoor activity that used to be practiced widely but which few people know about today. Thomas Seeley, a world authority on honey bees, vividly describes the history and science behind this lost pastime and how anyone can do it. Following the Wild Bees is both a unique meditation on the pleasures of the natural world and a guide to the ingenious methods that compose the craft of the bee hunter. Seeley explains how one finds a patch of flowers humming with honey bees, captures and sumptuously feeds the bees, and then releases and follows them, step-by-step in whatever direction they fly, back to their secret residence in a hollow tree, old building, or abandoned hive. The bee hunter's reward is a thrilling encounter with nature that challenges mind and body while also giving new insights into the remarkable behavior of honey bees living in the wild. Drawing on decades of experience as a bee hunter and bee biologist, Seeley weaves informative discussions of the biology of wild honey bees with colorful historical anecdotes, personal insights, and beautiful photos. Whether you're a bee enthusiast or just curious about the natural world, Following the Wild Bees is the ideal companion for newcomers to bee hunting and a rare treat for armchair naturalists. Following The Wild Bees Is A Delightful Foray Into The Pastime Of Bee Hunting, An Exhilarating Outdoor Activity That Used To Be Practiced Widely But Which Few People Know About Today. Thomas Seeley, A World Authority On Honey Bees, Vividly Describes The History And Science Behind This Lost Pastime And How Anyone Can Do It. Join Seeley In A Foray Into The Pastime Of Bee Hunting, An Exhilarating Outdoor Activity That Used To Be Practiced Widely But Which Few People Know About Today. He Vividly Describes The History And Science Behind This Lost Pastime And How Anyone Can Do It. In Doing So, He Explores The Biology Of Wild Honey Bees And Gives Insights Into The Behavior Of Honey Bees Living In The Wild. The Bee Box And Other Tools -- Bee-hunting Season -- Establishing A Beeline -- Timing Bees To Estimate Distance To Home -- Making Moves Down The Beeline -- Finding The Bee Tree -- On Not Taking Up The Bee Tree. Thomas D. Seeley ; Design And Photographic Assistance By Megan E. Denver ; Line Drawings By Margaret C. Nelson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. A how-to book on an exhilarating outdoor activity and a unique meditation on the pleasures of the natural world Following the Wild Bees is a delightful foray into the pastime of bee hunting, an exhilarating outdoor activity that used to be practiced widely but which few people know about today. Weaving informative discussions of bee biology with colorful anecdotes, personal insights, and beautiful photos, Thomas Seeley describes the history and science behind this lost pastime and how anyone can do it. The bee hunter's reward is a thrilling encounter with nature that challenges mind and body while also giving insights into the remarkable behavior of honey bees living in the wild. Whether you're a bee enthusiast or just curious about the natural world, this book is the ideal companion for newcomers to bee hunting and a rare treat for armchair naturalists. Contents Preface 1. Introduction 2. The Bee Box and Other Tools 3. Bee-Hunting Season 4. Establishing a Beeline 5. Timing Bees to Estimate Distance to Home 6. Making Moves Down the Beeline 7. Finding the Bee Tree 8. On Not “Taking Up” the Bee Tree Notes References Illustration Credits Index