At this time of year the flowers have begun to fade. There is not as much food around for my friends the bees. NOT because winter is coming yet you understand! Even flowers need a break sometimes too you know. 
So I set up feeders for the bees. I make a drink for them of one part water and one part sugar. They have a feed and then store this in their hives topping up their winter honey. But I have to be careful that they do not drown. So all the trays of sugar water have interesting things in them for the bees to hold onto whilst they drink. 
There are special feeders that you can fit into your hive for when it is really cold but it is NOT COLD just a wee bit chilly. Time for a cardi for me and some extra special drinkies for the bees.
The Gypsy summer or the last of the summer wine or something like that is yet to come. In fact the grapes are getting very close to harvest. It is so lovely outside today, and I shall be spending the whole day outside in the garden too. Perfect garden weather. 
So, sshh.
We are having a very quiet feeding frenzy. There is a wee buzz. 
Have a lovely colourful weekend.
c
The Kitchen's Garden 
86 responses to “Feeding sugar water to Bees”
I love the photos and the idea! Great post.
thank you. c
You have a fantastic eye for what will make a good photo! I simiply LOVE the colorful marbles and the beautiful bees. My four-year old walked up as I was looking at the pictures and she said, “Oh, those are pretty neat. Kinda gross. But cool, though.” I certainly agree with her that it’s cool!
Thank you. So cool that your four year old got it. that is great! c
Phenomenal images!
thank you glutton, hope you had a good sptorty weekend, c
I have to be so careful not to get any honey from sugar fed bees – I am sucrose intolerant and this really affects me 🙂
yes I also do not want sugar honey, so i only start to feed them after i have harvested.. i cannot imagine sugar in the honey doing much for the flavour!! c
No wonder your bees reward you so wel with their beautiful honey – you look after them well and give them special treats! Stunning photos 🙂
Thank you tanya, they are certainly a hungry bunch now.. c
Do hummingbirds ever stop by your bee feeders too? Great pictures!
Nancy
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No I never see Hummingbirds at the feeders, but they are down low, maybe a bit low for the birds. c
Well, these are stunning 2, 3, 4, 5 are my favorites, with 2 and 3 at the very top of the list! I don’t believe I have asked, but what sort of camera and lenses do you use?
PS. It is very nearly officially Autumn. My latest post, subtitled “A Late, Late Summer Haiku,” was titled in deference to your insistence that, no, it is not Autumn yet!
These were photos that were hard to get wrong, with that colour, i have a very badly behaved old Nikon D60, nothing special at all. with a zoom lens that is lovely to work with.. but I am thinking it may be time to get a newer model, some of those moving parts don’t always move anymore..!! c
Wow! fasinating how you feed the bees! As always love your photos.
Regards Florence x
Thank you Florence. c
You need a fall blooming Clematis! Mine is blooming right now, best in a couple years!
Nice pics of the bees, very colorful.
That is an excellent idea, i will get one in the spring.. thanks harold! c
Wow! This is like a fantasy land. Unique and beautiful. I’d love to display the photos as a creative writing starter for primary school children.
Do you teach?. It would be interesting to see what kids would make of those photos.. thank you annie
Yes. Ten year olds. I’m currently planning what I can do with them. Thanks for giving me the nod. Wouldn’t have proceeded without your permission.
I was also a teacher in NZ, so I do understand, though mine were secondary school kids. Have fun and let me know how they go. Naturally if anything is printed give my site the credit. No problems. c
Bee-utiful pictures!. Love the marbles.
thank you wanda, they are pretty cool those bees.. c
How beautiful! And fascinating to learn more about beekeeping.
it is all so worth it when I harvest the honey.. ! c
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