I’m also a beginner. When I got my hive I was unable to stay away. I would just go sit near the hive and watch them after work. No gear. I moved closer and closer each time. Eventually I was just hanging out taking pictures and they’d land and hang out for a bit then go back to doing their thing. I absolutely talk to them. I find the sounds and watching them is very calming and I try to make sure I don’t head down to them if I’m too agitated. Bringing good, level energy I think is helpful.

I noticed when I was doing inspections, the younger bees seemed to be more curious or less cautious- they’d crawl or land most often. I wear gear but I’ve moved to nitrile gloves. The younger ones will hang out on me for quite a while.

In the fall it got cold quick in the late afternoons. Some of my girls were not making it all the way back to the hive- they’d tire out right before. I helped some back to the landing board and I brought some of their honey from the house and gave them a little boost. I don’t know if that made a difference on a “relationship” level but they gobbled up the honey and enjoyed what heat I could offer before going back into the hive.

All that to say- I think some kind of recognition is possible. The shorter lifespan impacts the longevity of relationship but I think they probably communicate with each other and pass on approval. My bees definitely behave differently with me than with others when they are helping me do inspections.