The blossoms and the bees

Bee video
Originally uploaded by danielle512

California's almond groves turn white for a few weeks in early spring as the trees go into a blooming bonanza.

To ensure a nut harvest, California farmers hire up to half the nation's honeybees during this brief flowery flash. This afternoon I visited an orchard, near Merced, that hopes to reduce its dependence on hired honeybees. They recently planted a bee garden to attract and feed native bees throughout the year, see photos below.