Monday, October 25, 2010

The smoke from burning burlap distracts the bees and makes them think the hive is on fire so they won't attack.


Bees leave the hive to collect pollen and nectar to make honey






Bees make propolis, also known as "bee glue". It's very sticky and holds the hive together.
The master beekeeper uses a special tool to pry the boxes apart.



If the bees are not smoked they will quickly become angry and agressive!










A robber! Can you spot the thief?
Other flying insects also love the taste of honey. They will often try and rob the honeybees.











The Brood(baby bees) are kept inside the frame in a half moon shape. Then honey is placed on the outside for easy access feeding.






Notice how the bees start with a white plastic foundation and build the wax comb off of that. The honey bees must consume about 15 pounds of honey to produce 1 pound of wax.





This frame is filled with "capped off" honey! The bees place a wax capping over completed honey for storage.








This beautiful worker has its pollen sacks filled. All worker bees are female.






Make way for the Queen! Can you spot her? She is long and slender, and her back is shiny and bald. The Queen will lay up to a few thousand eggs per day!










This fat chunk is a drone bee. He is a male and does not have a stinger. He also does not work at all. In fact he is only good for one thing. Can you guess???














Here the brave ameture beekeeper prepares for her test of true beekeeperhood!















Putting the Drone bee in her mouth! Gross!
















Harvesting the honey. Cutting off the wax cappings with a hot knife. There is much more to the process and lets just say it's a sticky job.

















Neighborhood kids help to promote the recent harvest.




















They jump wildly for passing cars.









































Write down that number!




















We sold out all 60 quarts this year within a months time.