A how-to book on an exhilarating outdoor activity and a unique meditation on the pleasures of the natural world
Following the Wild Bees is a delightful foray into the pastime of bee hunting, an exhilarating outdoor activity that used to be practiced widely but which few people know about today. Weaving informative discussions of bee biology with colorful anecdotes, personal insights, and beautiful photos, Thomas Seeley describes the history and science behind this lost pastime and how anyone can do it. The bee hunter’s reward is a thrilling encounter with nature that challenges mind and body while also giving insights into the remarkable behavior of honey bees living in the wild. Whether you’re a bee enthusiast or just curious about the natural world, this book is the ideal companion for newcomers to bee hunting and a rare treat for armchair naturalists.
Thomas D. Seeley is the Horace White Professor in Biology at Cornell University. His books include The Lives of Bees, Honeybee Democracy, and Honeybee Ecology (all Princeton).
Table of Contents
Preface ix 1. Introduction 1 2. The Bee Box and Other Tools 30 3. Bee-Hunting Season 44 4. Establishing a Beeline 57 5. Timing Bees to Estimate Distance to Home 79 6. Making Moves Down the Beeline 99 7. Finding the Bee Tree 118 8. On Not “Taking Up” the Bee Tree 138 Notes 151 References 157 Illustration Credits 161 Index 163
What People are Saying About This
From the Publisher
“An excellent addition to anyone’s bee library.”—Adrian Waring, Bee Craft “Anyone deeply interested in natural history will ignore this mad little volume at their peril.”—Simon Ings, New Scientist“Highly engaging.”—Gard W. Otis, American Entomologist“A must have book for all beekeepers and bee lovers.”—Scott Shalaway, Youngstown Vindicator“Delightful.”—Harvard Magazine“Following the Wild Bees just might give readers an intellectually (and physically) stimulating new outdoor activity.”—The Scientist“Seeley’s passion for the social insects blazes as he quotes historical accounts by Henry David Thoreau and describes the intricacies of the chase.”—Barbara Kiser, Nature
