Honey

Well, I'm coming to my next big bee "learning opportunity". Of all my "firsts", this may be the most challenging....honey collection. I just got a small hand cranked Maxant extractor and a double sieved bucket, a sting proof jacket and veil and my uncapping fork. Ready to go...gulp....

Bee Gods

Picked up a new top bar hive designed and made by my friend Skye today. When I arrived home my neighbor came over and excitedly told me there was a new swarm in my lilac bush........ I couldn't believe my eyes!!!! There was a beautiful big swarm not too far off of the ground! I set up the new hive under them and started my smoker (which I don't think I really needed as all it did was agitate them). Good neighbor Duane offered to cut the branches so I could just shake them into the box, which was a huge help. I located the queen who had a yellow dot on her back and made sure she made it into the hive. At dusk they were still in the hive so I am cautiously optimistic!!! The Bee Gods were smiling on me today and I am thankful. (The only thing was I was so excited I didn't take pictures)

Memorial Day Swarm

Beautiful yard swarm...tried to get them in a box but didn't get the Queen so they regathered and swarmed away.... Lesson: always have an extra hive around in swarm season and be ready to act on a moments notice.

Gone...

Greeting Garden Hive (smallest hive of Russian bees) swarmed. Gone. I think the construction work being done on the barn was annoying to them. Neighbor Duane was cutting fallen limbs in the orchard across the Vly and said he saw them at the top of an apple tree enjoying the blooms. I wasn't there to get them. Bees being bees..... I wish them luck and joy in their new home, where ever it may be. I'll miss them.

Easter Baskets

....full of glorious pollen....

Good Friday

Still a speck of snow hanging on in the dark places, but 70 degrees and flying bees gave me the courage to open my hives. Imagine my delight when the "Woodstock" top bar hive revealed this magical comb. Lots of pollen being brought into the hives. I am feeding with honey until the "dent de lion" are up. (French for "lion's tooth", the origin of dandelion) It was a very "good" Friday...

My Bad

Oh my...sometimes I feel so inept. I am learning to be more careful when dealing with other lives. I opened the cover of the Greeting Garden hive today......and saw no bees. I got out my trusty hive tool and pried open the top to see what had happened....bees boiled out. They were all huddled in the southwest corner of the hive where I couldn't see them. I apologized profusely and closed the hive back up. Everyone got fed honey and I won't be bothering them again until it is much warmer. All three hives made it through the winter, despite my ineptitude and bumbling as a first year beekeeper. Thank you. I am grateful.