Bad luck beekeeper

15 Apr

As if a bee swarm itself weren’t enough to turn a day bad, Jack from the Self-Sufficient Steward experienced a double-whammy this week.

So, I flunk basic beekeeping once – preempting the swarm is pretty rudimentary stuff and I blew it. But now I have a chance to really earn my beekeeping merit badge by capturing the swarm in the hive body I had prepared to split the colony. So I scramble around, calling in to some experienced beekeepers for advice and re-reading the ‘capturing the swarm’ section.

Then I hustle back out a full ten minutes later, ready for my trial by fire, to find….an empty branch.

Read more at the Self-Sufficient Steward

Most beautiful bee anatomy

2 Apr

Bee AnatomyI can never get enough insect diagrams

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Spring hive inspection with TJ

30 Mar

On Saturday, TJ issued an invitation irresistible to any new beekeeper: a hands-on demo of his spring hive inspection.

My first hive opening, it was magic. Check out some annotated photos from the inspection and a slideshow version below

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My lovely new topbar hive

24 Mar

My new top bar hiveProps to local woodworker, Bill H., for crafting this lovely little bee home. It’s a Kenyan Top Bar Hive with plenty of modifications designed by local bee sage, TJ.

I’ve got a lot of old men looking out for me.

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My hive has arrived…

20 Mar

My hive has arrived! I will post pictures soon.

Powered by Jott

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death comes to the beekeeper

3 Mar

Dead Bee, photo by Hamed SaberOne of the most generous beeks in our local community examined his hives this weekend and found tragedy.

2 entirely dead hives

It’s the sort of thing that drops your heart right through your feet, crashing like a pebble on the dirt below.

Immediately the examination of conscience begins like Sister Rose Angela in the 3rd grade quizzing you tirelessly:

Surely, you have sinned, my child.

NM Beek did the brave thing and wrote about it. For a newbeek like myself, his experience and the naked telling of it are invaluable learning opportunities. 50 lashes aside, nothing hones one’s skill like a few failures and a visit to the bee catacombs.

Besides, he’s not the only one.

[photo by Hamed Saber]

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Securing a package

26 Feb

Installing a bee package/nucleusNot that I’ve ever had problems securing a burgeoning Springtime package before… but we’re talking about bees.

Between colony collapse disorder and nonspecific newbie floundering, a starter bee colony has been difficult to come by. Finally today, I received news that I’m solid.

Upon the advice of a local bee sage named T.J., I’ve ordered a #3 All-Star package from B. Weaver in Texas. Laura Weaver emailed me today to say that I’m on the list for delivery to Albuquerque in April. Rock star.

Until then, I’m trawling for bee videos on YouTube. Here are a few covering nucleus colony installation for your perusal and delight: Continue reading →

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Dear neighbors

25 Feb

Here’s the letter I left my neighbors last night regarding my upcoming insect invasion:

Dearest neighbor!

I’m thinking of inviting 10,000 of the world’s best pollinators to live in my backyard this summer. They’re quiet, docile, and oh, did I mention they produce honey?

I’d like to start a beehive. But before I do, let’s talk.

Do you have questions or concerns about bees? Is there anything you want to alert me to before I start a hive?

Of course, you’re always welcome to come and see them. In the meantime, here’s some information about how it all works. Continue reading →

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A nuc and a package and a queen, oh my!

22 Feb

Today, I’ve decided to host bees in my city backyard.

Some people call it “keeping bees,” others call it “having bees.” At this point, it’s more like this for me:

Entering a strange new world where thousands of stinging creatures live in my yard and I’m theoretically fine with this because I invited them in.

Chin up! Bee drama only exists on the evening news, I tell myself. That whole africanized thing was a myth.

And so today I’m ordering a #3 Allstar bee package (which is hopefully the same thing as a “nuc“) from B. Weaver. Not because I’m a discerning customer am I ordering the #3 Allstar type, but simply because some old guy in my local beekeeping group told me to.

When it comes to beekeeping, I’m learning apprenticeship matters. Sometimes, it’s best just to do what the seasoned folks tell you.

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