beekeeping 101

Last year, Lorraine really impressed me with her incredulous descriptions of her first beekeeping experiences.

As we all suited up our bee gear, i felt much like the crew of the Nostromo, and we all know how that turned out...
(anyone?) I wasn't nervous, I have been stung plenty, however, there was an air of respect, we spoke in hushed tones...

She promised me I could help harvest some honey from the Kitty hive but first we visited the other hives in the new electric-fenced area. A good thing we went to these hives first...



the Mimi and Kelli hives were very peaceful, sweet bees tumbling out, bumping into us politely...
here is my favorite picture of Quiche, the picture of calm:



they showed me how to use a smoker to control the bees (somewhat):







Sharon our birdchick & her husband Bill were great guides...he sacrificed a bee suit so that others would be protected...
here Shazz holds a tray of pollen and bee debris:



pointing out how to harvest honey from the frames:



she even wrestled me in my bee suit:



Neil carefully attends to the bees:



although i look puzzled, am more entranced really, the buzzing is hypnotic:



bee on my glove:



Kelli bees:



we ventured over to the Kitty/Olga hive and the mood grew a bit darker.



within two minutes of taking the lid off, Neil and Euan were both stung, and then quickly after, Dog went dashing away, licking his wounds:



here Sharon has a snack direct off the comb:



and Quiche cleans the frame of the delicious honey:



so grateful for this chance.