I'm a keeper!

So...I started a new hobby this year.  Something that I'd been talking about with Colleen for years but finally decided to take the plunge.  I had just been moved to a new program at work after the one I'd been working on for over 25 years was abruptly terminated by the USAF.  During one of the first test events on this new program I met a man that started talking about bees.  He is associated with an organization called Hives for Heroes that support veterans, active duty military, and first responders, where they provide educational materials as well as hooking you up with a mentor in the local area.  After a couple of sessions helping my mentor with his bees, and watching all the videos in the University of Arkansas Home Beekeeping Course I jumped in and bought my own hive.  This is not an inexpensive hobby.   Hives, protective gear, signs to alert people to stay away from the hives, and the various tools required to work the hives starts to run into real money. 🤣

It started out a bit weird, as most of us are somewhat frightened by a single bee flying around us.  The first time opening my mentor's hive and seeing 10s of thousands of bees, and having them fly all around you (thank God for protective gear) caused a bit of apprehension as you might imagine.  I even got stung thru my jeans that first day.  The more you work with them the easier it gets, you just have to remember not to panic and not swat at the bees.  Smoke helps a bunch.  They will mostly leave you alone once you get away from the hive.  There will be the occasional asshole bee that just doesn't get the message, and she'll have to be sacrificed.

I bought a nuc (nucleus hive) from a local beekeeper that rescues swarms, Whitney Cramer, who has also been a wealth of knowledge and has been willing to answer questions when I have them.  My hive is thriving (so far).  A couple of weeks after the apiary/hive was established, the state inspector came out and gave approval to be a beekeeper.  This approval/registration with the state also allows me to sell honey, if I wish, thru the state's cottage food industry.

I read and research constantly to try and be the best bee steward I can.  There's always more to learn. I've even joined the local Tri-County Beekeepers Association that meets once a month and provides assistance and lectures about beekeeping.

It's been a fun and rewarding experience even if I haven't gotten to harvesting honey yet.  I'm waiting to put the honey supers (boxes) on the hive until I'm done treating them.  I did a check a few weeks back and found varroa mites.  These little monsters are what are responsible for the mass death of bee colonies throughout the world.  Once I'm done with this treatment cycle (about 3 more weeks) I'll get the honey supers on and hope to get some late season honey.  

It turns out those boxes when filled with bees and honey/nectar are HEAVY.  After all my back surgeries and continuing treatment for back pain, this makes inspecting and working these hives difficult.  So as much as I like the Apimaye insulated hives in the picture above, I've decided to try a different method with a horizonal langstroth hive.  I bought this one from a man in Dothan, AL that builds them and then sells them through Facebook Marketplace.  Beautiful work.

This hive keeps the frames that the bees use for brood (new bees) and honey all on one level, so no lifting and moving boxes.  Plus, you only have to open the part of the hive that you want to inspect/harvest and leave the rest of the bees alone.  I'll be placing this hive out back here soon, once the new frames I need come in.  

I've also decided on a name and label for my new apiary:

It's an homage to my time as a Naval Flight Officer and my new beekeeper status.  I hope you like it.