Re: Mating flight or failed swarm? and the comments that followed this
mail prompts me to post my thoughts:

I have always held the belief that it is better to pose the question
without taking into account that it might give rise to derision or other
comments that in reality have no bearing on the original question.

If the fear of reproach gets the upper hand then there is an inevitable
diminution of communication and that that does take place becomes
stilted.
The answer(s) that may serve as a response should surly instill in the
enquirer and certain feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction from asking
in the first place.
Pertaining to beekeeping: Alan states that it is "more art than science"
- to my mind this depends on how one views the way that beekeeping is
approached. Art often being a term used to describe undefined or "loose"
science.

So, ask questions on what ever the level the problem may be - to the
individual it may be a complicated concept being tackled which to others
is only considered as routine. If the result causes an increase in
knowledge all the better.

Peter
P.S. Very few of my bees are flying yet the rape (canola - colza) is in
full flower - could this be due to the lousy weather or that the flowers
aren't producing nectar - temp is hitting about 7°- 9° C and it has been
raining for about 7 months.