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Old Bank District Gets a New Buzz

By Ed Fuentes
Published: Saturday, June 20, 2009, at 02:24PM

Ed Fuentes

This colony of bees has taken up residence in a tree at 4th and Main.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — There's a buzz about 4th and Main these days, but it's coming from residents of a different kind.

In front of the historic Farmers and Merchants Bank, a colony of bees have taken up residence on a corner tree. Like many residents, they are most active in the evening hours.

Locals may want to be a little extra wary, particularly when walking by with pets.

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Conversation

Guest 1

Tell It To The Bees on June 20, 2009, at 03:09PM – #1

God save the bees!

I think downtown has been the new destination for bees as well as humans looking for the urban experience. There's is also a colony living in the corner vertical sign at the Rosslyn Hotel, they are visible around the fifth floor.

Ed Fuentes on June 20, 2009, at 03:14PM – #2

Perhaps an ecosystem is on the march to return to Downtown.

Guest 1

Bert Green on June 20, 2009, at 03:44PM – #3

The bees in the Rosslyn sign have been there on and off for decades. Once I had a show in the gallery with an artwork that had bees in it and a bunch of the bees flew in and perched themselves on the artwork. Strange.

Guest 1

veronica m. on June 20, 2009, at 04:13PM – #4

I saw people taking pictures there today, but I didnt see the bees. Thats kinda cool... and scary. :)

Guest 1

Jeff Alu on June 20, 2009, at 06:35PM – #5

Wow, that's a really cool looking hive! Please be careful folks, I just saw another hive on Echo Mountain above Pasadena, and they were somewhat aggressive.

Guest 1

Benjamin Pezzillo on June 21, 2009, at 10:55PM – #6

I noticed tonight that the bees are gone along with part of the tree.

The Metro Local on June 22, 2009, at 10:15AM – #7

Hey thanks for the news. I was leaving Lost Souls after lunch on Sunday and saw some peeps huddled around the base of this tree. I could see the cloud of bees swirling above, but didn't understand what the people were doing... looked like they were making chalk art or something, oblivious to the swarm.

The other night, I rode my chopper from Eagle Rock to Downtown for the Art Walk; took San Fernando to North Broadway. A bee hit my sleeve over the LA River. I didn't know it was hitching a ride until I arrived on Main and parked. STING!...right on that vein by my elbow. My first sting in 20 years or so. The night went better from that point, though...

Guest 1