One of the things I like about beekeeping is the experimenting. Hopefully never at the cost of the lives of the bees!
This year I am trying the 'D' frames (from Kelly's: http://www.kelleybees.com). These are supposed to replicate the process the bees use in a 'top bar' hive (Maybe I'll try that next year).
This year I am trying the 'D' frames (from Kelly's: http://www.kelleybees.com). These are supposed to replicate the process the bees use in a 'top bar' hive (Maybe I'll try that next year).
On the whole, I'm very pleased. Especially if you like comb honey, you will find the D frames a wonderful alternative to the thin foundation, since the bees do a great job of drawing out the comb their way. If you are a perfectionist, you will want to skip this method entirely.
The key is taking some old wax and prepping the inside top, bottom and sides with some bees wax. I took a small block and just rubbed it on generously.
The bees then drew out the wax and filled and capped. But as you can see, the girls decided that one side needed to be deeper than the other.
The key is taking some old wax and prepping the inside top, bottom and sides with some bees wax. I took a small block and just rubbed it on generously.
The bees then drew out the wax and filled and capped. But as you can see, the girls decided that one side needed to be deeper than the other.
I will definitely continue this method in the future for comb honey. It's a little messy, but I like that all the wax is from the bees in that particular hive. This helps me understand the strength and work ethic of that particular hive.
And the taste, as always, never disappoints!
Until next time, see you around the hive!
Tim
P.S. Found this lovely reflection during this writing. Enjoy! From Odes of Solomon (Hebrew Christian text from the beginning of the 2nd century) No. 30 (trans.©James Charlesworth, rev.)
Fill for yourselves water from the living spring of the Lord, (Jn 4,10; 7,3) because it has been opened for you.
And come all you thirsty and take a drink, and rest beside the spring of the Lord,
because it is pleasing and sparkling, and perpetually pleases the self.
For more refreshing is its water than honey, and the honeycomb of bees is not to be compared with it; (cf. Ps 18[19],11)
Because it flowed from the lips of the Lord, and it took its name from the heart of the Lord.
And it came boundless and invisible,and until it appeared they knew it not.
Blessed are they who have drunk from it, and have have quenched their thirst!
Amen!
And the taste, as always, never disappoints!
Until next time, see you around the hive!
Tim
P.S. Found this lovely reflection during this writing. Enjoy! From Odes of Solomon (Hebrew Christian text from the beginning of the 2nd century) No. 30 (trans.©James Charlesworth, rev.)
Fill for yourselves water from the living spring of the Lord, (Jn 4,10; 7,3) because it has been opened for you.
And come all you thirsty and take a drink, and rest beside the spring of the Lord,
because it is pleasing and sparkling, and perpetually pleases the self.
For more refreshing is its water than honey, and the honeycomb of bees is not to be compared with it; (cf. Ps 18[19],11)
Because it flowed from the lips of the Lord, and it took its name from the heart of the Lord.
And it came boundless and invisible,and until it appeared they knew it not.
Blessed are they who have drunk from it, and have have quenched their thirst!
Amen!
RSS Feed
