Since I’m too lazy to write an in depth blog today, I will leave you with two very short amazing videos showing a unique collaboration between the natural world and humans. You will see tribal men on the trail to find the honey of Africanized bee hives.

You have to understand, in the western hemisphere we’re taught to destroy such hives. Africanized bees are a danger, we’ve been told. And it’s true. They are a force of nature to be respected, reckoned with and yes, not to be located near communities of people. But, they are here to stay, and currently intermixing with our European bees—making a very resilient strain of bees.

In Africa, they “woo” the bees with smoke and take the combs out bare handed.

Honey guides are amazing birds that provide a rare but mutually beneficial service to humans who want to locate a honeybee hive. In a fascinating exchange of language, you will see how human and bird work together.

How little we know about the natural world and the possibility for collaboration. How little we understand that animals are intelligent and sentient beings. But in these tribes, such mutual cooperation has been going on a loooooong time….

We in the west have so much to learn.

Big thanks to one of my bee teachers, Susan Clair, for these videos…she is currently working with Silver City, NM to pass a Bee City USA pollinator protection resolution.