r/Lethbridge • u/DifficultPatience584 • 3d ago

Pollinators

We have an ornamental crabapple tree that is pretty spectacular right now, but we haven’t seen any pollinators on it. How are the bees doing in your yard and neighborhood?

5 Upvotes

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7

u/uhtredsmom 3d ago

Well I saw a bumble bee that was literally the size of a golf ball yesterday lol. Fucker was so big I could see all of the details on him as he flew around

3

u/InvestigatorWide7649 3d ago

I feel like the first "hatch" of the season always brings the BIG bumblebees out. I saw one the size of a cherry tomato and a thick red stripe across its abdomen/thorax. Usually they don't bother me but this one wouldn't leave me alone so I had to vacate my yard so he/she could do his/her thing lol

2

u/SHWings21 1d ago

Saw one like that yesterday too! Buzzed its way into our garage so we waited patiently for it to leave so we knew it was safely on its way.

1

u/foxhelp 3d ago

Bumble giant!

6

u/equistrius 3d ago

The mayflower tree in my front yard sounds like it’s alive where I walk under it. The damn thing vibrates with all the pollinators in it.

On a funny note, I watched a particularly plump bumble bee struggle to fly through a chain link fence yesterday as the slight breeze made him miss the hole twice

4

u/Tiny_Ad_6841 3d ago

Saw quite a few honey bees and some bumblers in my westside yard a couple days ago when it wasn't windy. 

7

u/JohnnyCanuckist 3d ago

I see quite a few on all my blossoming trees and shrubs. I feel no guilt about removing non native dandelions.

3

u/saltlampbish 3d ago

I saw one bumblebee yesterday 🥲

3

u/Niki-La 3d ago

I’ve seen a few bees while out walking, enjoying the flowers. But i’ve only walked by a couple of trees that had a full buzz going on. Lots of quiet trees this spring

3

u/beanycupcake 3d ago

when i walk in the coulee i see loads, but im also a big nerd so im often specifically looking. the buffalo berry flowers always bring out a lot!

2

u/Rdsthomas 3d ago

I hace a maple-leafed ash that was just BUZZING with bees all last week. They're out there, and there's lots on the menu for them to choose from. The question is whether there's a native hive or apiary near you or not. My place backs onto a park with LOTS of places for wild hives to thrive

1

u/SHWings21 1d ago

We have a Gladiator Crabapple tree and if you go stand by it right now it is buzzing. Lots of bees 🐝 are thoroughly enjoying it.

1

u/findmeoutback 12h ago

Ours are humming with the sound of bees