Haven't seen a single bee on the sweet cherry trees blooming between my
house and the neighbors....they are loaded with flowers, but I'm guessing
there won't be a bumper crop of cherries this year in Spokane.
"Vox Humana" wrote in message
.. .

"JNJ" wrote in message
...
Ok, I give -- where are all the bees?

I live in SW Ohio, Zone 6. EVERY year, without fail we have bees
galore --
honey bees mostly, but a fair smattering of bumbles as well. This year,
all
of my trees and plants bloomed beautifully. I let the grass and weeds
grow
in -- they all bloomed (the wild violets nearly covered my front yard --
it
was amazing). The Crab Apple had a HUGE display. In any other spring
season, these trees and plants are just COVERED with bees -- when we
walk
down the sidewalk to the cars, we have to dodge the bees they're so
plentiful.

This year, I have seen TWO bumble bees -- both of them inside my
parents'
house. That's it -- I have seen a few wasps, a few hornet/yellow jacket
types, and that's it. I've seen no pollinators at all. The trees have
lost
their blooms and are leafing out (if not already fully leafed out), the
weeds have lost their blooms, and the early blooming flowers are gone.

What one earth happened to the bees?

Now that you mention it, I haven't seen many insects in general. I live
on
the east side of Cincinnati and the only bees that I have seen so far are
the big bumble bees. Maybe it is because we has such a prolonged, cold
winter. The trees were unusually beautiful this year and the azaleas look
like they are going to be outstanding.