At one time, I was a new beekeeper. I think I was 12 when I got my first hive over on 22d Street in my parent's back yard. I got the bug because my neighbors got a hive they had captured out of a barn.
So yesterday I had the opportunity and the rare pleasure of introducing my friend Yettie to the bees of suburban Loami. I hope you get to do this as well this year.
Yettie wanted to see the inside of the hive and learn about what the bees were up to on a nice summer day.
I wanted to see why the girls were spastically producing so much honey all of a sudden. And then we took one frame off for tasting!
So yesterday I had the opportunity and the rare pleasure of introducing my friend Yettie to the bees of suburban Loami. I hope you get to do this as well this year.
Yettie wanted to see the inside of the hive and learn about what the bees were up to on a nice summer day.
I wanted to see why the girls were spastically producing so much honey all of a sudden. And then we took one frame off for tasting!
We covered the basics of the hive: from the parts of the hive body to the frames and cells. It reminds me of the history of guilds and how knowledge was passed on in those organizations.
It was fun pointing out the various items to Yettie and showing how the bees were moving. Even showing the equipment and tools and patterns was great fun.
One of the things I realized while talking with Yettie, was that I take many aspects of beekeeping for granted.
For example, when the hive is opened, I'm listening to the hive. It's hard to describe but I can tell when the bees are "angry" or settled by their sound. Similarly, the smell of the hive tells me about it's general health and the state of their production. I'm sniffing for sour smells that might tell me that there's foul brood or mouse urine, or some other nasty element that's afoot. And of course, I'm always looking for the dreaded varroa mites!
It was fun pointing out the various items to Yettie and showing how the bees were moving. Even showing the equipment and tools and patterns was great fun.
One of the things I realized while talking with Yettie, was that I take many aspects of beekeeping for granted.
For example, when the hive is opened, I'm listening to the hive. It's hard to describe but I can tell when the bees are "angry" or settled by their sound. Similarly, the smell of the hive tells me about it's general health and the state of their production. I'm sniffing for sour smells that might tell me that there's foul brood or mouse urine, or some other nasty element that's afoot. And of course, I'm always looking for the dreaded varroa mites!
In this picture from a few years ago, my friend, Dave, is helping me retrieve a swarm from out in front of my house. Since then, I've captured several swarms on my own. And shown a few others how to do this as well.
So there have been many bee-keeper mentors in my life and I have been working toward helping new beekeepers get started or get to the next step.
When I got back into beekeeping, LLBK set me up with new bees, training, hardware, etc. The cost of the hobby was insignificant compared to all the help and free advice I got from these dedicated people.
So there have been many bee-keeper mentors in my life and I have been working toward helping new beekeepers get started or get to the next step.
When I got back into beekeeping, LLBK set me up with new bees, training, hardware, etc. The cost of the hobby was insignificant compared to all the help and free advice I got from these dedicated people.
Now yesterday, I was scanning through facebook when I saw that one of the beekeepers I had worked with a few years ago was tearing apart a barn to save a hive!
I can't tell you how satisfied (and proud) I felt seeing Cynthia's work unfold.
Looks like Cynthia and Matt are well on their way to showing the next beekeepers how to do it.
So my question for you is: Who have you helped get started in beekeeping? What are you doing to show the next generation or the neighbor who's always asking questions about your bees, how to get into this very rewarding hobby?
I can't tell you how satisfied (and proud) I felt seeing Cynthia's work unfold.
Looks like Cynthia and Matt are well on their way to showing the next beekeepers how to do it.
So my question for you is: Who have you helped get started in beekeeping? What are you doing to show the next generation or the neighbor who's always asking questions about your bees, how to get into this very rewarding hobby?
My wish for you is that you will pass the love of beekeeping on to others.
Until next time, we will see you around the hive.
tim
Until next time, we will see you around the hive.
tim
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