Monday, August 14, 2017

BONNIE'S BEES












Bonnie's family  just stated with two hives.  We started with just one brood box and a feeder box on top until they got established.  The heavy cement blocks on top are to keep the racoons and other critters out.  Soon we were up to three brood boxes stacked up, a Queen excluded to keep the Queen from getting up into the honey supers and of course the honey supers on the beesfill with honey. That's what we collect.

As you can see, the Queen was a good egg layer and soon we were buzzing with BEES.  We were told to give them plenty of space and lots of work to do and they would be happy. We gradually worked our way up to four hives.

There are two photos of honey frames, one shows it capped with wax and the second shows it upcapped and ready to be placed in the honey extractor.  The MAXANT is our honey extractor and it spins full frames around real fast and that makes the honey spin out of the frames, just like spinning the water out of your laundry.  There is a spigot at the bottom of the extractor for the liquid honey to run out into strainers and your honey pails.

The wax cappings that are cut off the frames of hunny, I use for making lip balm and bee wax candles. Nothing is wasted, every drop of honey that the bees make is appreciated.

I hope you enjoy these photos.  Bonnie

Thank you Bonnie for the pictures and telling us how honey is made.


13 comments:

Tom said...

...does Bonnie have bees in her bonnet?

Bonnie said...

Thank YOU Marilyn for sharing my Bee photos, I even enjoyed seeing them again.
Yes Tom I have had a bee inside my bee bonnet before - it's kind of scary as a bee sting on the face hurts more than when they get you in the arm or leg. Less flesh to absorb the sting. Bees have been a fun hobby but we're not sure just how much longer we will be doing it as we are in our middle 70's and those filled honey supers aren't getting any lighter to carry around. Bees are SUPER interesting to work with ... and the honey they produce makes the profit so much SWEETER. Bonnie

Vanssmomc said...

Good Morning Marilyn, all I can say is "Sweet!!" Cathy in Webster

Vickie said...

This was really interesting Bonnie. Thank you for sharing this.

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Tom,
I guess Bonnie does have bees in her bonnet.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Bonnie,
Glad you like your pictures on here. I know we all appreciate them. I was suppose to get them on earlier. Always was interested in how bees made honey. Again, thank you so much for the pictures and information.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Cathy,
I can't think of anything to top your comment. This is sweet.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Vickie,

I think this is very interesting, too.

Marilyn

Dynna said...

Good morning Marilyn. Thank you Bonnie for showing us this process. When we had bees put in the old orchard, it was so great getting the raw honey. I hope you are feeling better and getting stronger, Marilyn. Keeping you in my prayers.

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Dynnamae n,
I think bees are so interesting. Thank you, so much, for your prayers. THey are really appreciated.

Marilyn

littlemancat said...

So interesting with great pics. Thank you to Bonnie and Marilyn! Love beeswax candles as well as the delicious honey. I like that you mention appreciating all that work that the bees do by using all of it. A grateful heart.
Mary

Anonymous said...

Very cool! Our friends in Alabama keep bees also. Wonderful honey! Thanks for taking the pics, Bonnie, and to Marilyn for posting them.
Continuing to pray for complete healing for you, Marilyn! PTL!!! Blessings, Carol

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