Emergency Fuel

I spotted this exhausted bee on a dusty path this afternoon. After dumping the shopping at home I took a beaker back up the hill to where she was. I had seen some boys walking towards the path and dreaded seeing a stripy squashed little person, but she was OK.

I took her home and gave her a fresh mix of honey and warm water. She topped herself up for a while then seemed ready to be released.

I put her into the garden, on a leaf with a bit of extra honey water. She lifted her leg into the air, in that way that bees have. I never know if they do it to ward us off, or what it is, but it is an endearing little gesture.
After about 15 minutes I went to see if she had taken off, and sure enough, there was no sign of her. My children have seen this rescue routine many times over the years. it has always worked for me and the bees I have cone across. Especially ones who have got trapped inside a room, and fallen to the bottom of a window, totally depleted of natural fuel.