Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Bees

On Monday Logan and I went to visit my aunt and uncle who keep bees. They've been keeping bees for many years and also happen to be some of our favorite people. I plan to keep bees when we move so a first hand look at it all was incredible.

Here are Logan and I in our beekeeping outfits. Aren't we cute?


Here are the hives with my uncle Jeff, my grandfather and Logan all suited up and opening the newest hive.
There were a lot of bees in this hive. He had just installed it about a week ago and this was his first time opening it and checking on it. The queen is alive and very active. There were tons of egg cells in the hive.
Here is some honey that is being made in an older, larger hive.

This was really an amazing experience! Having the bees flying all around you but not being agitated was really cool. At one point my camera turned itself off and made a whirring noise. I jumped pretty high so I guess I was a little nervous during it all. Logan wasn't nervous at all and was right up against the hives looking in. I can see that beekeeping would take some getting used to, but it was also fascinating and really fun. I look forward to one day having hives of my own.

7 comments:

Omelay said...

we want to get some bees this coming spring. we hope to afford an established hive, suit and extractor by then.

what a blast you seem to have had. i am envious. marvelous photos and story.

Wendy said...

I'm a little jealous! I want bees, and luckily for me, my husband does too ;). Hopefully, we'll be able to get them soon, and even here in the 'burbs, we have the perfect, out of the way, little nook right near my neighbors' apple tree :).

Loved the story and the pics ;). Looks like you had a blast.

linda m said...

Looks like you and Logan were having a blast. When I was growing up my friend's father kept bees and we would buy fresh honey from him. It was sooo good.

Anonymous said...

I will never be able to have bees because of my families allergies, but I have great respect for those who do. Looks like it was quite an experience for you and Logan. I would've been nervous too! Hope to read about you establishing your own hive someday!

Christy said...

It was so fun!

Karl- my uncle suggested getting hooked up with your local bee club, there are often times older guys that are getting out of bees and selling their stuff for a good price. Also, it will probably be a year or so until you have enough honey to worry about extracting so you could hold off on that and get started with the rest. Although an established hive will get you honey sooner than a new hive. My uncle suggested starting with a nuc.

We got some honey while we were there and it is delicious! Logan usually doesn't like honey but loved this.

Anita said...

Beekeeping is one of our goals... My hubby's grandfather kept bees, and it's a fond memory for him...

Danielle said...

Too cool! I go back and forth on bee keeping, and the kiddos are totally against it. So, for now it's just a back-burner kind of thing.

How wonderful that you have such experienced folk to call on!