Seems like they fly to and from whatever is providing nectar and  pollen.  
 
Our own trials years ago showed that flight speed over a 2  mile course (4 
mile round trip) was not significantly faster for  bees flying to the floral 
source compared to bees returning with  pollen and nectar from the food 
sources.  They are such strong enough  fliers, LOAD didn't make much 
difference; so I'm skeptical of an uphill  versus downhill effect. 
 
I do know that WIND presents a challenge to forager bees, as does heavy  
rain.  Windy sites have reduced flight hours as evidenced by our  
bidirectional bee counters.  As I've said before, simply facing the hive  entrance 
towards the sunrise will change time of initiation of foraging by  approximately 
30 minutes to one hour compared to bees from hives facing away  from the 
sun.  Same is not true at dusk.  They all come home about the  same time.
 
Jerry
 
 
In a message dated 6/19/2012 7:41:43 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

> If  you are in hilly country, locate your hive in a valley.
> Bees fly  uphill for nectar and downhill when loaded with pollen
> or  nectar.

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