The Real Almond Joy

California's almond pollination season typically starts in mid-February, around Valentine's Day, but along the Benicia waterfront, the almond trees sometimes blossom as early as Jan. 1. 

The climate is warm and temperate. The bees are hungry, eager to leave their hives to gather pollen and nectar for their colonies.  The blossoms beckon. Bees and almonds. Almonds and bees. The Almond Board of California calls it "Nature's perfect duo."

"When almonds trees bloom, bees get their first food source from our orchards' nutritious pollen," according to its website. "While bees are only with us for two months of the year as they pollinate the crop, we work to support their health for all twelve."

We stopped by Matthew Turner Shipyard Park in Benicia last Sunday morning just to see bees at work. 

Nature's pastel paintings--the serenity of the pinkish-white blossoms, the soul of the blue sky, the sound of the water, and the spirit of the bees.  

This is the real almond joy.