Trees! Bees!! My Knees!!!

Well, as we mentioned about a month ago via some pictures posted on Facebook, a large chunk of a large tree between our house and the neighbor's collapsed in the recent storm the Corning/Elmira area experienced at the end of July, which also brought a TORNADO to the Elmira area! Ron and our neighbor Chad and Chad's dad helped hack up the limb and haul it away.



However, what remained was even "scarier," the BULK of the tree was still standing! And the damage inside was obvious. This sucker had to come down. After first making a call to our homeowner's insurance about the first big limb down, getting a big check (!), we then called a few tree removal services for estimates. The winner was Clear View Tree Service here in Corning and they came within one day of calling. Aka, TODAY!

Sam with his trusty safety goggles on! He's SAFETY BOY!

In no time, the tree was DOWN, safely. The sun shining on the house now is BLINDING and obvious of a new void. Something definitely to get used to.

Another story about this tree is it's The Bee Tree. We talked about this several posts ago (... or at least i thought. I cannot find the link/pics!). I was thrilled to come home to not only the tree down, but a local beekeeper on the premises!! The Clear View guys have been in touch with Phil a few times, with big jobs like this. Phil was there to try and save the bees!

Spraying sugar water to keep the bees "happy."

This was easily one of the most fascinating things I've watched in a long time. The tree dudes cut thru the tree stump, already grounded, in a way that allowed Phil to get to the bees. After a few cuts, BINGO, the motherload. There were the combs, layered neatly, the workers scurrying about, and after much plucking and prying, eventually the Queen was found. It's her 'job' to lead everyone, now, to the bee box (I'd like to google this topic later, for the appropriate terminology). Phil got the Queen in and is giving the bee gang (!) the whole day to migrate into the box. He wants to come back tonight around 8:30 to get the box, hopefully with everyone inside!

Sam, watching Phil at work...

Thom and Hank were at school, but Sam was home with us, as well as Nanny who babysat for us the night before, and spent the night. All of us were mesmorized by the swarm, which even to the untrained eye, seemed rather chill. They were not ANGRY bees. In fact, Sam was right there with Phil, inches from the combs, watching him pry bees off and hunting for the queen. He was asking questions and found it all very interesting. I'm so glad he got a chance to see such an awesome thing!

The motherload!

It made me feel good to know that these bees were given the chance to go to a new home. I may even have a newfound respect for them. I've never totally FLIPPED with bees flying around, but i've never been as totally chill as Ron. Maybe that's changed... we'll see.

... as for my knees... they are fine. Just seemed fun to toss in another rhyming word. ;-)