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…I wouldn’t have been surprised. I’m talking about our latest bee inspection. There were high points (our first ‘considerable’ honey grab) and low points (the tumbleweeds). But there were a few gifts as well… Bee inspection: First Hive This bee inspection took place during the first half of July. We had admittedly left some time between … Continue reading
Seneca, the Roman Stoic philosopher, must have known something of the lot of the beekeeper: Plura sunt quae nos terrent quam quae premunt, et saepius opinione quam re laboramus. What a relief! We go through this every apres-swarming season: worry then relief. They never let us down, always demonstrating their resilience. Ain’t nature grand? Of course, … Continue reading
This is what we were pondering a few weeks back (running about a couple of weeks behind with these posts). The good news is we seem to have come through the swarm season 2 for 4: 2 caught and rehomed, 2 that got away. The bad news appears to be that swarms have stopped because … Continue reading
Last week was the most beautiful spring weather, and like every other beekeeper our thoughts turned to the first inspection. What with the death of one of our two hives and other beekeepers reporting not only swarm preparation but also actual swarms, we approached our garage bees with some trepidation. They had been giving off … Continue reading
Well, no, not this particular beekeeper who looks pretty satisfied. But, I did like the look of this German stained glass window, with the bees buzzing all around. But, we are all a bit bleak with lack in winter, are we not, without our bees to keep us on our toes. This line is from … Continue reading
Non est ad astra mollis e terris via – There is no easy way from the earth to the stars. (Seneca) This post is dedicated to Roy Eastol, a true ‘fen boy,’ and a beekeeping gentleman of many decades of these here parts. Who forgot more about beekeeping than anyone ever knew (although I can’t … Continue reading
It wasn’t all bad news from the bees’ perspective on that Saturday. The first swarm, which had been lucky enough to transfer to a nice, comfy nuc a few weeks back, was transferred to even more spacious accommodation – a brood box. Before that could happen (and while the other bees were deciding on a … Continue reading
But it did have a happy ending… May 12 There was a second cast, across the yard this time and down by the greenhouse. At frst we thought it was the first set moving on from their nuc home. But, no, the Garage Bees were looking distinctly guilty. As with the first swarm, … Continue reading
In which the beekeeper describes the first official inspection, or what can be described as a game of two halves, er I think, to quote from some sport I never watch. Beginner beekeepers may 1) want to look away, or 2) look on these problems (some self-induced by negligent beekeeping) and learn…. 4 May 2014 … Continue reading
Yes, I did intend the caps, as I am referring to the acronym for a gubernatorial campaign run by Upton Sinclair in 1934, End Poverty in California. The emblem for the campaign was the bee, as pictured above, because, according to Sinclair, “she not only works hard but has means to defend herself.” Sinclair is … Continue reading
My Latin Notebook 