To date, I am in the minority.  For most of you, Maple is an obvious, viable source of early spring pollen.  I certainly don’t doubt your observations.  On my 4 medium-sized Maples, with binoculars, for about 5 observations on 4 different days, I could see may be 10-15 bees per observation.  No clouds of bees.  No hum of bees.  Just the occasional forager.  Certainly, these casual observations are not science.  There are far too many variables not considered.  In Ohio, beekeepers have the same issue with soybeans.  Rarely, rarely a surplus honey crop from soybean – yet in other states, beekeepers routinely get major crops.   I will be watching my maples again next year.

Maples are in bloom in the Mid West. The flowers are not much to look at.   Is it odd to say that it’s my favorite flower?  Certainly my bees look forward to their blooming.  It’s time to get ready for spring.  I love seeing this blossom each year.

After a (very) fast two weeks, my wife and I are once again home in Ohio.  It will take many months to digest all the experiences, events, photos, and memories.  To all the people who helped us find our way around the two countries and to the individuals who hosted us, we can only offer a humble thanks. It was a beautiful experience. (We saw some beehives, too, but I will talk about that later.)