16 Aug 2010
Maraschino cherry syrup honey, and spring beekeeping
I've been meaning to post this photo for months, but of course the NY Times beat me to it.
In late fall, when all the nectar runs in our area were over, my bees started stealing honey from other hives in the area. It was only fair, I suppose, since they were being pretty heavily attacked themselves. They must've traveled over to some hives living loser to the maraschino cherry factory, and stolen a bit of their syrupy red honey.
See those bright red cells in my photo above? They sure do taste curious.
I'm posting this now to celebrate - I checked in on my hive last Monday, and my bees seem to have survived! I still have bees, they seemed to be in a fairly good mood, and I saw plenty of honey remaining to hopefully see them through the next month and a half or so until our first early spring nectar starts to come in.
Tonight I'm heading out to swarm prevention class. My ladies survived, so they may start getting that procreative itch once spring really hits. Swarms are fascinating (I absolutely loved reading Thomas Seeley's Honeybee Democracy and hearing his lecture on how swarms choose and head to their new homes), but I'd still rather have a strong colony and happy neighbors than let my bees throw a swarm. Especially given that virgin queens don't tend to mate well in NYC, according to the advice and warnings I've been given by my local mentors.
Think good thoughts for the ladies! I'm looking forward to petting happy springtime bees again soon.