Entomophily

Entomophily, a photo by Taproot Garden on Flickr.

So the neighborhood is going condo. So to speak. The development has its roots in a phone over a year ago from a local beekeeper who was interested in keeping hives on our property. The heat and drought delayed progress -- apparently even bee libido was parched -- but this spring brought renewed interest. Another few phone calls, installation of rough platforms near the back tree line, and before I was even aware of the move, four hives took up residence behind some trees a hundred yards or so north of the garden.

It remains to be seen, of course, what benefit these new neighbors will contribute. At the very least we should be honey-richer. Though I'll not be involved in the actual bee keeping, honey is the rental currency. That, of course, and the entomophily -- the pollination of flowering plants by insects. At the very least the fruit trees should enjoy the attention. With any luck, a few other things in the garden will benefit as well.

In the meantime we are simply enjoying our minor participation in the diversification of the neighborhood. And who knows, we may even learn something. After all, there is something intriguing about the principle of taking bits and pieces of promise from here and there -- the raw materials of creative possibility -- and spreading them around, eventually giving rise to wonders both fruitful...

...and sweet. Maybe all of us could take a page from this play book and instead of resenting the diversity, relish in it instead, and make of ourselves something sweeter still.

Why should bees have all the fun?