A honeybee in February

With temperatures in the upper 30s, Sunday morning was pretty cool for a honeybee. I was surprised to see this bee on the cold hood of my truck. It could crawl, but kept falling over and couldn't fly.

There was no wind and the air temperature was rising. I wondered if the honeybee would live or die. I decided to warm him up the easiest and least intrusive way I knew. Cupping my hand on the far side of the bee, I very gently blew my warm breath onto it. The bee recovered quickly and I allowed it to crawl onto my warm hand.

I videoed the bee as it enjoyed the warmth of my hand for about a minute. Suddenly, and without notice, it flew away.

Known as the western honeybee, it has been naturalized in North America. The bee was introduced here from Europe many years ago.

Nature is awesome!

AARON HORRELL is owner of Painted Wren Art Gallery in Cape Girardeau. He is a Bollinger County native.