Sunday 17 July 2016

Insect Mini-Series : CARPENTER BEE

I'm preparing for the Cork Literary Festival which kicks off this weekend and I'm short of time, so here's a post from last year which most of you won't have seen.


Carpenter Bee, Morocco
It was his nature to be solitary. 

He flitted from flower to flower. Always searching, always feeding, always alone. No hive for the likes of him.

Something.

He paused between the flowers, testing the air for intruders.

Uncertain, he hovered, turning first one way, then the other. A vibration ruffled his iridescent navy blue wings. It was barely perceptible, yet it sparked a need, a longing, an imperative.

He turned a full circle, perplexed. The vibration receded.

A scent distracted his attention. He descended to land on the thistle’s purple flower head. He crawled into position and probed until his proboscis found the channel leading to the nectar.

Now the vibration interrupted his feeding again, so subtle he almost missed it. The imperative strengthened.

What?

He lifted away from the thistle and turned to face the disturbance. A distant shape was coming towards him. The imperative overcame his instinct to flee. Instead he flew directly towards the shape, his body humming and pulsing in bewilderment and excitement.

The shape coalesced into another Carpenter bee and when he reached her his confusion dissolved.

Their tiny bodies briefly joined in fleeting harmony, the imperative to mate overcoming their shy dispositions.

She immediately began to search for suitable wood in which to drill and lay her eggs. He dutifully followed. Soon he would have a nest to guard.


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Do let me know if you've enjoyed this and whether you'd like to read more from my Insect Mini-Series. See you next week.











31 comments:

  1. That's a very poetic bee. Charming little description!

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  2. This was beautiful. You were totally into the mind and heart of this little guy.

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    1. Thank you, Sandra. I enjoyed researching and writing this story.

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  3. I love this because we have a couple of carpenter bees and they amaze me at the perfect hole they drill. Love your story and the picture.

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    1. Oh, I'd love to see more of carpenter bee behaviour. I haven't seen any where I live.

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  4. Aaahh... that's so cute!! I wonder... will you meet any agents?? If you do... as about short story submissions, please!! I'm looking for an agent!! ;-)

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    1. I don't know if I'll bump into any agents, AJ - but if I do I'll try to get some info for you. I'm doing a workshop with Michael Harding and I'm reading one of my essays later in the week... feeling very uplifted about my writing at the moment. :)

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    2. And so you should! Writing is uplifting! Maybe because it's sharing something personal. Gosh, now I'm reminded of a Hemingway quote...
      "Writing is easy... just sit at the typewriter and bleed!"

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    3. Hah! Good quote, AJ - and so true!

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  5. That is so sweet! And such a beautiful bee.

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  6. I never heard of carpenter bees until now. Thanks. Beautiful critters, aren't they? :-)

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    1. I had to look him up and was surprised to learn that he was a bee rather than a beetle! And yes, a very beautiful little fella with those iridescent wings. (Of course, I'm saying 'he' because of the story... it might be a 'she'!)

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  7. I did enjoy this - and hope you enjoy the Cork festival.

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    1. Thanks, Patsy. Yes, I'm reading at the festival later this week and really looking forward to it. :)

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  8. Yes, I'd definitely like to see more!

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    1. Thank you! I shall be happy to oblige as I'm a bit pushed for spare time to write fresh posts. :)

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  9. Can't wait to hear about the festival! Have fun.

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    1. Thanks Sandra - yes, I guess I should write a post about it in a week or two. :)

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  10. Wow! I remember reading some of your insect stories, but I think I missed this one. Or not - my memory ain't what it was. Either way, a real treat.

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    1. Thank you, Liz - good to know you enjoyed it. :)

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  11. If you had not said that was a carpenter bee, I would not have guessed that it was a bee! Very handsome, although I wouldn't want one around (not for fear of injury to me, just my house :D) And a great story to go with a great picture!

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  12. Thanks, Tracy. I too was surprised to discover he was a bee! Thanks for visiting. :)

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  13. Oh, it's you, Tracy! You've changed your 'signature' - I thought you were a new Tracy! :)

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  14. A very eloquent and poetic description of the bee journey. I would not have recognized the Carpenter as a bee.

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    1. Thanks, Sue - glad you liked my interpretation of my photo. :)

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Many thanks for commenting. I appreciate your feedback.