Humming Tree...Bzzzzzzzz

I look forward to it every year. Our humming tree. No, not a humming bird. A humming tree. Every year around this time (late May - early June) the tulip poplar tree breaks out in bloom. Traditionally, this tree is considered one of those "weed trees". Easy to grow, fast growing, and (relatively) short lived. The leaves resemble a combination of a maple and a poplar (at least in my opinion). It provides us with nice shade and a burst of yellow tulip-looking flowers every year.


Some years the tulips are "drowned" in the spring rains. They bloom for about one week and so, if it is the week where there is a lot of rain, the nectar in the flower is washed out or at least diluted.


But this year the rains have yet to ruin the flowers. And hence, the tree is a-buzz. A-buzz with happy, busy, honey-making, beautiful bees. You can stand under the tree and hear the humming. It is a low pitched, constant humming. In fact, my son, standing under the tree yesterday said, "It sounds like a whole hive up there!" Well, he's probably close to right. I would guess there are representatives from all of our ten hives up there.

It is predicted to rain tonight. And rain hard. Storms might even come. I sure hope the bees are working hard. The banquet table will be empty by morning.

Today's Journey Joy: listening to the humming of bees