Just across the yard from their old home, the bees chose a bush to rest upon. Here, just below center of this picture, most of the swarm waits with the queen, in a beard of bees draped from the branches of the bush. Scouts are out, looking over possible hive sites.
Sometimes a swarm will decide to make their home right out in the open, but typically they move on to another site, better protected and more suited for a home. If a beekeeper wants to catch a swarm, this is a perfect moment... they have no home and are easily within reach. All that is needed is an attractive home...
Photo courtesy of Ben Fisher
