Bees & Pollinators

37 articles
Winter Bees

Winter Bees

The bees are cleaning house! A couple of days ago the sun was shining and it was pretty warm out (50ish is my guess), so the bees took the opportunity to clean out their dead.  One by one they flew out with a dead bee in their clutches and simply dropped said bee on the ground in front of their…
January 4, 2012
Preparing the Bees for Hibernation

Preparing the Bees for Hibernation

After our little honey accident a little over a month ago and my sting reaction a few weeks ago, we've (I've) been a little hesitant to get back into the bees.  However, it had to be done...and soon since the weather is turning whether I want it to or not.  So, we suited up and went out, smoker in hand, to…
October 20, 2011
Today

Today

Today was busy, but good busy.  Here are just a few things Tool Lady and I got done today...We did some training of our espalier trees (which means we tied their branches to the fence) and in the process accidently harvested a few (not quite ready) apples that Fish Girl is just a little excited about.In the process, Tool Lady…
September 6, 2011
What’s All the Buzzing About?

What’s All the Buzzing About?

I've had my first sting!  Yep, I'm 34 and have never been stung by a bee before!  Maybe it's my name???Oh well!  It was an accident.  I was harvesting some tomatoes, squatted down and didn't realize that a little bee had landed on my calf.  As I went down, so did his stinger, straight into my calf.  Poor little bee.…
August 16, 2011
Are We Being Robbed?!?

Are We Being Robbed?!?

Recently, Tool Lady and I saw some unusual behavior happening right outside our bee hive...The bees seemed to be moving very quickly and strangely right outside of the hive. At first we thought it was a robbery in progress.  You know, the whole fight to the death panic ensuing madness that happens when another entity is trying violently to steal…
July 10, 2011
Honey Bee Factoids

Honey Bee Factoids

We checked on our bees again this weekend and have found 8 separate combs being built...one almost entirely completed!  The work these little guys are putting into their new home never ceases to amaze me!  They look happy and healthy and seem to be doing wonderfully despite the crazy temperatures and horrible drought we've been experiencing! Now, I love honey…
June 28, 2011