Light/Breezes

Light/Breezes
SUNRISE AT DEATH VALLEY-Photo by Tom Cochrun

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

THE BEE MYSTERY

WHAT'S WITH THE HIVE?
      Regular readers of Light/Breezes may recall earlier postings about our hive of Blond Italian Bees from Glenn California.  These are the same gentle bees that suddenly disappeared after apparently being attacked by interlopers. 
      All at once we had an empty hive, our Blond Italians no where to be found.  We waited a while, but the hive remained quiet.  Lana was tipped by George, a northern California bee keeper to put out a little lemon grass oil to see if it would attract a swarm.  It did indeed, some of these guys are included in that number.
    We asked Ian, a local bee keeper and expert to take a look at our new swarm and to check out conditions in our re-located hive.



     Ian found a full and productive hive. Evidence of honey being made, but mysteriously no sign of a queen.  He found
the beginnings of a queen's "condo", but no sign of a queen.


 In his Kiwi accent, he noted a couple of times that it was
"odd."  So now the mystery has taken another turn, an odd turn.  A busy and seemingly productive hive without a queen in command. What does that mean?  Stay tuned.
See you down the trail.
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6 comments:

  1. CatalystAugust 14, 2012 at 1:16 PM

    Looks dangerous to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom CochrunAugust 14, 2012 at 2:14 PM

      In taking the photos I had to "fend off" a couple of scouts exploring me and my hair. Next time I'll probably wear the gear.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousAugust 14, 2012 at 1:54 PM

    A hive without a queen? Like a home without a female. Chaos, of course.
    I'm just saying....
    Maryann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom CochrunAugust 14, 2012 at 2:15 PM

      Yea, can you imagine? Hopefully we are close to getting a queen to put things right and into order.

      Delete
  3. Out and AboutAugust 14, 2012 at 3:36 PM

    Do Queeens go through an election? In this country it takes forever.

    I once did a feature story about bee keeping Kentucky. I learned the true meaning of "a bee in your bonnet." I got stung on the lip (and did a frantic dance). Then I realized how many more were on the outside of the head-gear. The mic sponge was loaded with bee stingers. We were "even." They died; I did not. -w-

    ReplyDelete
  4. stephen HayesAugust 14, 2012 at 9:49 PM

    How interesting--no queen. Why then are the bees making honey?. No queen means no eggs, right?

    ReplyDelete

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