I awoke to wind. In the faint moon glow, I could see a chain of poplars silhouetted against the sky, the upper branches tossing and thrashing. Individual trees synchronized into a chorus line, bending with the rhythm of each successive gust. The musky essence of sagebrush reminded me I wasn’t home. Each time I visit […] Read more
A beekeeper in Kentucky wants to know if tapping on the winter hive is really as dangerous as her mentor claims. She writes: [My mentor] came over last Sunday to help me with a winter checklist. While we were standing there, I leaned down and tapped on the hive to hear the bees inside. This […] Read more
Retired NYPD detective Tony Planakis, known as “TonyBees,” was the first person to convince me of the wonders of infrared photography for beekeeping. Once I saw photos of his colonies, I was convinced that infrared was the way to go. But his latest adventure just blew me away. Tony was called to a house in […] Read more
The best part of winter is snuggling beside the fireplace with a good book. I love wintertime reading because it brings light into the dark days and long nights. Alongside a mug of hot chocolate, I keep a handy notebook to help me remember things I learn and ideas to remember. As many of you […] Read more
I have always believed in data-based bee management: Gather whatever information you can find and then make decisions based on what you learned. For varroa mites, this means taking samples, counting mites, and deciding on a strategy. Perhaps this is an old-fashioned idea, dating back ten years when some mite counts actually came out low—low […] Read more
They fly. They drive. They walk. In every bustling city and placid backwater of America, friends and family gather for Thanksgiving dinner. Over steaming heaps of stuffed turkey and mashed potatoes dripping with gravy, they all talk at once, sharing accomplishments, dreams, and plans. The mesmerizing scent of sage, rosemary, and thyme compete with the […] Read more
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