Pollen

[billhurd]

Bees bringing in pollen at my house this afternoon.

[Wally]

I have heard some red maple is now blooming. Matt in Charlotte posted a video of bees loaded with pollen.

[Jacobs]

Bees have been gathering pollen from the flowering quince and from the henbit?/creeping charlie? [later identified as speedwell] for about 4 days now, but they are still active in the dry pollen substitute I have out near my honey water "nectarometer." Activity at the pollen substitute had slowed until those 20-22 degree nights, and after that, it picked back up. I am guessing some of the pollen producing blooms got damaged. I haven't seen any red maples blooming, but some of the buds are taking on a red color, so it won't be long.

[Jacobs]

The red maple down the street is blooming. I saw olive green pollen a few days ago and bees have shown little interest in the dry pollen substitute that they have been enthusiastic about up til now. This red maple is one of the early bloomers and usually has some of the larger blooms I see.