Overcast day with high cloud and only glimpses of the eclipsing sun.  Nonetheless, strong foraging activity.  No visible change in activity until two minutes before totality when bees returning began to make wide passes towards the back (West) of the hive instead of swooping straight-down-and-in as usual.  Departing bees began to crawl actively over the front and side of the hive, some starting into the air making wide arcs and landing on the vegetation in front (East) of the hive.  Totality was a profoundly-affecting, eerie experience: as if a gigantic dimmer switch had been turned down (55sec) and then back up.  On return from totality bees continued crawling over top, sides and landing-board for approx 10 min before going inside, and over 20 min, resuming normal flights out.

Regards, Bernie Duggan

Bernie Duggan
White Rock
Ogwell Cross
Denbury
Devon
UK