Bee Hives in New Zealand

Bees Drift More Than You Think

Drones are not the only bees that drift Bee Hives in New Zealand Something has been vexing me about honey bees. Two observations, both true, seem to be in direct conflict with each other: They are excellent navigators, able to…
New queens in cages with attendant workers

Summer in the apiary

New queens in cages with attendant workers Swarming Is Finished, Now What? Phew, it looks like the swarming season may have ended. I'm tempting fate, but that's what it looks like to me. Also, after about three weeks of nothing…
Rain splashes on a puddle

Damp Squib

This summer has been a damp squib. Literally damp, but what on earth is a squib?! I always wondered about that expression. Apparently, a squib is a firework, so a damp squib would be a disappointment if you were expecting…
Green Fields https://flic.kr/p/8RnP8z

Mind The Gap

Green Fields https://flic.kr/p/8RnP8z So Long, Spring Spring is over. I'm not going by the calendar but by what I see at my beehives, although as it happens, the two are in synch. We are now in what they call the…
smoking-cat-with-honey

Sweat and Honey

We are having an actual Summer here in the UK this year, which is a very welcome, if unexpected, treat. Most beekeepers seem to be reporting that it's a good year for honey. I always find that most of my…
Horse Chestnut Tree In Flower by Renoir

Busy as a Beekeeper

Horse Chestnut Tree In Flower by Renoir Busy as a beekeeper: Here in my part of England, the weather is currently absolutely perfect, and we have shaken off the oppressive depressed state induced by a long cold Winter followed by…