tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63392709122044305822024-02-07T16:59:15.451-08:00Kiwi Beekeeping TopBar HivesMarciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-22339922475756076472012-10-20T00:18:00.001-07:002012-10-20T00:18:50.571-07:00Golden Mean Hive . . <b>I met Steve at NZ`s first Natural Beekeeping conference in Havelock North afew months ago. He had brought with him up from Wellington, a beautiful hive he had built. This was the first Golden Mean hive I had seen, shorter and deeper then my topbar hive with a window the length of one side. Wellington can is known for it`s wind, hence the blocks on the roof !</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZg8YAwlWvvBJDnl-tr1sZjUNRjq7kl6nmjk3yLhKzXUUTg4tM4nxoUubyomdlsU5ubWX-8RhKUCRnIx4DUjGGLfOQESW1kIeeOVqPbiApmGSBMgQTBpb_D0VGbtw0PM4UEfBiBN8GrJt/s1600/golden+mean+hive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZg8YAwlWvvBJDnl-tr1sZjUNRjq7kl6nmjk3yLhKzXUUTg4tM4nxoUubyomdlsU5ubWX-8RhKUCRnIx4DUjGGLfOQESW1kIeeOVqPbiApmGSBMgQTBpb_D0VGbtw0PM4UEfBiBN8GrJt/s640/golden+mean+hive.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> <i>Steve`s wonderful Golden Mean Hive buzzing with golden beezz . . . </i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Steve brought the plans for the hive from the www.backyardhive.com web site , he also brought their dvd ( which I have and show at my workshops) explaining the bee guardianship method of caring for bees using topbar and golden mean hives. </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>This hive is built from untreated pine, coating the outside with 3 layers of linseed oil/mineral turps 3 months before the bees arrived to allow the turps to fully evaporate. With the window on one side allowing for easy checking of what is happening inside, this hive is a fantastic addition to your garden. The bees build their combs from bars as in topbar hives.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> The golden mean hive is built using the golden mean <span style="font-family: Arial;">ratio</span> ie <i> <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">using the pentagon to derive angles because the pentagon is the geometric representation of the golden mean ratio PHI. Length of the hive is PHI times width : i.e. the length of the hive is in PHI ratio to the width. (from BackYardHive site). </span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrr7SoXTl5-8_T8X8-1OdvnITFqQInJoPOGnrkpHAcffC93bk3NYaTnYLkkKRtBzyNXhuyvX55f0F8XH_8hvth3nNNra1Zk5MFCfw28Hj6mMQbfRtWCFSil2vkTDO8nR6yhrBrJUDEZDD/s1600/photo00451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrr7SoXTl5-8_T8X8-1OdvnITFqQInJoPOGnrkpHAcffC93bk3NYaTnYLkkKRtBzyNXhuyvX55f0F8XH_8hvth3nNNra1Zk5MFCfw28Hj6mMQbfRtWCFSil2vkTDO8nR6yhrBrJUDEZDD/s640/photo00451.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Another view of a Golden Mean hive.</span></i></b><b></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></div>Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-12237629175504644912012-10-11T00:00:00.001-07:002012-10-11T00:00:14.497-07:00Tis Swarming Season . . .<b>Here in the Southern Hemisphere spring has well and truly sprung and our bees are finding wonderful warmish weather</b> <b>producing plenty of pollen and nectar</b>.<b> </b><br />
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<b>I received a txt the other day from a young woman gardener who has done my beekeeping night class and also one of my topbar hive workshops - Jo is hooked ! The excited txt informed me that she had caught 2 swarms from the hives in the Sustainable Garden at the Hamilton Gardens. The bees had actually swarmed on the Sat, 2 days before Jo was back at work, very conveniently landing on a fijoa hedge at eye level. Apparently some members of the public had complained to the garden staff on at the weekend that there were bees flying everywhere, once landed, both swarms were quite hard to see !</b><br />
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<b>Jo with her hands under one of the balls of bees - with no protective gear whats so ever, and only one bee which flew up her nose but didn`t sting</b>, <b>both swarms were hived into lang boxes and driven out to a friend`s orchard in the countryside.</b></div>
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<b>Both hives in the Sustainable garden are situated on top of a pergola, high above people`s heads, in fact, when the pergola is covered with the grape and cocktail kiwifruit vines it has growing over the whole thing, you would never know there were bees up there. </b></div>
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<b>Shaken gently down into a brand new home, the bees are doing very nicely in the spring sunshine surrounded by native bush, clover paddocks and flowering fruit trees ... nice one Jo !</b></div>
Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-46339327475735686982012-09-23T02:13:00.000-07:002012-09-23T02:13:29.195-07:00Bring on the Bees . . . and the Birds !!Well, it has been awhile since I last posted and spring has certainly taken up residence here in Aotearoa (NZ) with frothy bright green growth, bursting buds, courting tui and rowdy blackbirds, daffs glowing in the sunshine and best of all . . . where I live in the Waikato valley, many,many bright yellow kowhai trees flowering, bringing the nectar sipping native birds flocking into our city again after many years of not seeing more then 2 or 3 each spring. Well done to the Halo project, city council and fellow city dwellers who have planted hundreds of these native trees and other species of plants to draw back, once again, our stunning native birds !!<br />
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<i><b>A wonderful tui with beak deep inside a kowhai flower seeking the sweet nectar, note the pollen on her face. . another pollinator.</b></i></div>
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<b>Bees also love the bright yellow nectar filled flowers of native Kowhai <i>Sophora microphylla</i></b> <b>and <i>S.tetraptera </i>both species growing in the Waikato - it does tend to make the bees abit dopey. As I sit here writing this I am distracted by the tiny wax-eyes hanging up-side-down amongst</b> <b>kowhai flowers on the tree outside the window - pretty little birds. . </b></div>
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<i><b> New Zealand native clematis, Puawhananga Clematis paniculata </b></i></div>
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<b>The photo above was taken in the Te Parapara Maori garden at Hamilton Gardens last week. It is a beautiful evergreen climber that seems to shine when seen covering our` hundred shades of green` native bush. It doesn`t last when picked so best admired scrambling up through trees or over a fence or old building.</b></div>
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<b> It is not invasive like jasmine or ivy , has beautiful dark green glossy leaves and stark white 6 petaled flowers with a center of yellow/green pollen attracting stamens - so easy for the bees and other pollinators to land on, brush against the pollen and sup the nectar.</b> <b>I think it should be planted more in our gardens, at least if it does escape out into the bush it won`t smother everything else as so many of our garden escapees have done ie ginger, ivy and hundreds more.</b></div>
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<b>Towering purple spires from <i>Echium candicans</i></b> (<b>the pride of Maderia)</b> <b>in Katherine Mansfield`s family garden in Wellington this month. Wonderful bee plant, stunning structural plant and grows most places, but protect from frost. Once again, an easy flower for the pollinator to access.</b> </div>
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<b>One bee bottom in a Lungwort <i>Pulmonaria officinalis</i> flower - these low growing plants are real bee magnets, purples, blue and pink with spotty leaves</b>.<b> A member of the Borage family, native to Europe and Eastern Asia, this plant has been a popular garden and herb plants for generations.</b></div>
Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-84711038247003117052012-08-27T00:33:00.001-07:002012-08-27T00:33:46.030-07:00Spring flowers for our bees . .<b> Here be(e) a small selection of flowering plants in my neck of the woods . . .</b><br />
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<b> plum blossom just beginning to burst here - the branches are covered . .</b></div>
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<b>egg yolk yellow fluffy tulips. .</b></div>
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<b>witch hazel - a scented pile of petals ..</b></div>
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<b>pure white bells, dwarf comphry - bumble bees love it .. </b><b> </b></div>
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<b>delicate winter rose or hellebore - gently nodding flowers ..</b></div>
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<b>snow drops hiding their faces - perfection ..</b></div>
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<b>poppies like crepe paper . .</b></div>
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<b>and finally, a bee bottom in a lungwort flower . . </b></div>
Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-49436932540795666892012-08-02T23:14:00.001-07:002012-08-02T23:14:32.866-07:00Just a Small Read . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I recently completed a small book-let about my experiences of natural beekeeping here in NZ, here are afew pics giving you a small taster. All photos unless started, are mine.<br />
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Spiral bound, it is easy to read with hopefully, with give the reader new thoughts and ideas about caring for their bees. Here in NZ, natural bee caring is , for the most part, considered flacky and not what `we have done for the last 100yrs` - we just need some thinking outside the square, reading new literature and talking to others. In my mind it is all about education and more education . . .<br />
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I had great fun choosing photos and putting my thoughts down in a readable order ! I have hundreds of photos and alot of written material from my classes and research, it was difficult at times to decide what to use.<br />
I hope,in time, to add more and actually write a proper book - there is so little written about beekeeping in NZ, especially nothing that gravitates away from the commercial/langstrothe way of doing things..<br />
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Beautiful bees on beautiful wax comb ... the womb of the hive, where all that makes every bee`s life safe and healthy - all this with no chemicals. . . . <br />
I believe strongly that each and every honey bee deserves this sort of hive. . . for what she does for us, surely we can give back to her everything she needs . .<br />
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<br />Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-25306327529092370362012-07-02T16:25:00.000-07:002012-07-02T16:25:06.852-07:00Green Bees . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>My new cards. . . . I am really pleased and it was all so simple with VistaPrint, especially being able to use one of my own photos.</b> <b>I adore my poppies at this time of the year, soft papery colours on dull days, even the buds are beautiful. </b><br />
<b>Buying the cards was very reasonable but of course they (VP) temp you with lots of goodies and I had to have at least some of them. Guess what everyone will be getting for birthdays and Christmas ?</b><br />
<b> </b>Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-83336000950162677222012-06-30T20:03:00.001-07:002012-06-30T20:03:44.156-07:00NZ`s First Natural BeeCarer Conference Day !<b>On the 23rd June 2012 I had the great privilege of being one of the organization and a guest speaker at the first NZ Natural BeeCarer conference held at the fantastic Green Urban Living garden in Havelock North, Hawkes Bay. </b><br />
<b>My deepest thanks to Janet Luke, the creator of this property who allowed us all the use of her garden and knowledge. Janet and hubby have 1.5 acres in the middle of suburbia where she has bees (2 topbar hives), rabbits (for meat and pelts), 2 milking goats, chickens, vege gardens in the ground and on a balcony, plus much more going on all the time. </b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIUx6pqMcTQ1RnpXbDyAB3gKL-w7Jc6mrGZaxBuJp0QsSH8MElIxGbt6sLoHc2gdyKpllSGkf45117duAtvJ6RrAzSQr8joUMCxHsD_LSNPkmmB721E64a-_uuPIqgeKF6a_qZgCbxZm9/s1600/IMG_4744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIUx6pqMcTQ1RnpXbDyAB3gKL-w7Jc6mrGZaxBuJp0QsSH8MElIxGbt6sLoHc2gdyKpllSGkf45117duAtvJ6RrAzSQr8joUMCxHsD_LSNPkmmB721E64a-_uuPIqgeKF6a_qZgCbxZm9/s640/IMG_4744.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><b> Janet speaking to over 60 keen people, you can`t see the rest, but they were there - all sitting around the huge outdoor fire place on the terrace. Janet spoke about topbar hives and the legality of owning them here in NZ.</b> <b>Hopefully, after hearing the latest news from the Minister regarding the use of frames in our hives ( to make it quicker and easier to inspect for disease), common sense will prevail. People attended the day from as far away as Wellington, Rotorua and Katikati</b> <b>plus all around the Napier - Hastings area. It was so brilliant having all the interest,</b><br />
<b>natural/sustainable beekeeping is catching on here at last, I am so thrilled to be a part of this new beginning for our precious bees.</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDf6VqSDbatizb2vNGxf8vab8wJJLOpCCzk51Lt8kzJG0nReT1SzkxuaI13Cec5mfmqoZjEs4CerQ7jkEoY5uou8jAlaKgT7S6ktmv006h6MQu3IdpixePvycFWelkdoP0Ff8-cMIuV-a-/s1600/IMG_4756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDf6VqSDbatizb2vNGxf8vab8wJJLOpCCzk51Lt8kzJG0nReT1SzkxuaI13Cec5mfmqoZjEs4CerQ7jkEoY5uou8jAlaKgT7S6ktmv006h6MQu3IdpixePvycFWelkdoP0Ff8-cMIuV-a-/s640/IMG_4756.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><b> I opened the garden hive for those with bee gear, Janet opening the balcony hive where people could watch from behind glass ! It was a lovely warmish day, but we still didn`t have the hives open for long. Janet has a huge amount of bee food available, with her autumn garden still blooming in places. The bees were very co-operative, I don`t wear protective clothing usually or use a smoker, just some water if needed and find if I go slowly and quietly, most times we all hit it off with no problems </b>. . <b>Lots of questions asked and as always with a number of beekeepers together, there are always many answers ! I found it most rewarding to listen to some of the more experienced folks thinking and actually doing it differently - more for the bees then to make lots of honey.</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQGt9ABKoyv_tIV5zovfltDg6JpCW9qFn8cGq1i3HrYR5zoZFIfXFPbHY9R8aAQKoUF1QOcCzcfi8VzMvpE9POjY8CJlw6PVU_zyKBzWQQHU0Lkfx7NdhjpsFwPRXzEzVrmJbgQK1eerL/s1600/IMG_4747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQGt9ABKoyv_tIV5zovfltDg6JpCW9qFn8cGq1i3HrYR5zoZFIfXFPbHY9R8aAQKoUF1QOcCzcfi8VzMvpE9POjY8CJlw6PVU_zyKBzWQQHU0Lkfx7NdhjpsFwPRXzEzVrmJbgQK1eerL/s640/IMG_4747.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><b> Daniel from Putaruru brought a new Warre hive he had built, speaking about how it works and how easy it is to build and use - he didn`t go home with it. Daniel keeps bees in topbars and a warre, he finds them both equally as good</b>.<b> The warre was designed not to be opened until the honey was harvested, with boxes being added from the bottom.Also, the first warres had bars, like a topbar hive. Daniel has built frames from the bars</b> <b>just in case we do have to have the frames later on.</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZnlR4f9hIk7uKWrcizVSxye1ZoSo1mBoi7X5o1KLi1yMJtd29uRDYRABkFFZr7Au9f3MX8BfpZB07t76f_diQk1auRu1FfOaY2YkUK4_ZXVOCXNr12yHD1KmotoB2ziDEZ9FLBySPnnt/s1600/IMG_4760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZnlR4f9hIk7uKWrcizVSxye1ZoSo1mBoi7X5o1KLi1yMJtd29uRDYRABkFFZr7Au9f3MX8BfpZB07t76f_diQk1auRu1FfOaY2YkUK4_ZXVOCXNr12yHD1KmotoB2ziDEZ9FLBySPnnt/s640/IMG_4760.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><b> Janet with one of her milk bars, talking goat stuff with some of our participants. It was the first time for me trying goats milk in my coffee. . . it is delicious, sweet and creamy. Must be something to do with all the good food these animals get, the typical goat food plus grazing all day on a weed patch next door ! Janet makes cheese, yoghurt and icecream from this milk</b>, <b>all healthy and clean.</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtnEwM_6TKS1nq84wsqvEFRxQaC_Zd66kmh78Rt2xCGU_2_26YQF3xmhV-MjsrHSuq5KYD6hUzYvMW5JNm4i3AjtNjvhpMK0DRBPRcBOUExE3W1sKU7aCXurkVcNTfV_cfRUbwtMHZQRg/s1600/IMG_4761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtnEwM_6TKS1nq84wsqvEFRxQaC_Zd66kmh78Rt2xCGU_2_26YQF3xmhV-MjsrHSuq5KYD6hUzYvMW5JNm4i3AjtNjvhpMK0DRBPRcBOUExE3W1sKU7aCXurkVcNTfV_cfRUbwtMHZQRg/s640/IMG_4761.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><b> Looking back up to the terrace, open fire and pizza oven in the late afternoon light - this is where we all mixed and mingled, enjoying home made pizzas ( thanks to Chris for all his hard work) and drinks. It was an important part of the day, to meet other like-minded people, ask questions and share ideas - all in all, an excellent end to a superb day . . . </b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkZ61FUCrskQ_flgYNSfWOZv_QBZSK_P2tmDWX02J_YJZQm1snaaJkXXYj_hahCUBtwoJvgtccBp3_pwvZc6MKQoM8Y-ViTlx839O5TrYqVPk_3Dy9xcYU1KaeaxJjWtVI97ufPRk_H9_/s1600/IMG_4759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkZ61FUCrskQ_flgYNSfWOZv_QBZSK_P2tmDWX02J_YJZQm1snaaJkXXYj_hahCUBtwoJvgtccBp3_pwvZc6MKQoM8Y-ViTlx839O5TrYqVPk_3Dy9xcYU1KaeaxJjWtVI97ufPRk_H9_/s640/IMG_4759.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><b> Last, but certainly not least, a photo of the Golden Mean hive one of the gentlemen from Wellington made and brought to show - I have my order in ! There is a long window at the back, 18 bars, shorter then my topbar but deeper. I have just the place for it on my terrace - can`t wait</b>Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-39919693508753558912012-05-19T16:42:00.002-07:002012-05-19T16:42:49.440-07:00Happy Bees on Waiheke Island ..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had the absolute pleasure of going back to beautiful Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf last month to run a refresher Topbar/Natural beekeeping day.<br />
Waiheke Island is the 2nd largest island in the gulf, Great Barrier being bigger - a very hilly island, Waiheke has few flat areas. The island covers 92km, is a ferry ride of about 11km from Auckland. The population is around 8,000 swelling to up to 30,000 over summer, with many holiday baches and some very flash places dotted around the cliffs and lovely beaches. The Island is home to many artists,musicians and talented people, organics and permaculture is widely practiced - I love it !<br />
Di and Don`s hive is surrounded by manuka and kanuka plants and other NZ native flora.<br />
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The bees in Di`s hive are lovely, placid Italians, golden and quiet. There were about 10 wax combs filled with brood and stored nectar and pollen. I didn`t see the queen,, but with eggs, larvae and capped brood all evident, she was certainly there doing her job !<br />
I sugar dusted the bees while the hive was opened - there was certainly no sign of varroa or disease.<br />
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The group of keen bee carers, all who will have bees next spring. The hive is on a slope above the house with abundant nectar and pollen sources within afew metres. The fantastic thing about it for these bees is that there are NO chemicals used on the eco village land, with many fruit trees, native plants and flowering trees, herbs - everything bees and pollinators need to live a healthy, productive life.<br />
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Where we all enjoyed a lunch. . . under the grape covered pergola next to the earth pizza oven - a great slab of wood for a table and wonderful company and conversation - oh and the yummy home made cheese, bread, salad etc etc .. one of the wonderful things about running my workshops is the amazing variety of people I meet - I always, without doubt, come away feeling so inspired - my soul singing . . .<br />
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The house where I was talking is one of a number in the eco village down the east end of the island, was originally a farm which had been cleared of all native vegetation, the wetlands drained and mangroves sprayed ! Since becoming a place for like-minded people to live the change is remarkable - lots of hard work but what a reward ! Di and Don ( who is a sculptor) have lived there for 15 yrs, built their gorgeous house that just seems to fit into the hillside, off the grid, compost loo, surrounded by orchards of every fruit you can think of - the climate on Waiheke is fantastic, afew degrees warmer then Auckland and most plants grow, including the invasive types !<br />
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Lovely honeybees taking their nectar back ! Working in this hive was calming. . .no smoke used, not even afew squirts from my water spray - it was a warm afternoon, no wind with everyone quietly in awe of this industrious little insect.<br />
Going back to Auckland on the ferry in the late daylight, the waves splashing against the boat, I stood out on the back with the spray in my face and the smell of the sea washing over me. . . I remember feeling that it couldn`t get any better then that ! The wooded cliffs of Waiheke disappearing slowly into the distance, seagulls calling. . . I can`t explain how good I felt - uplifted, realized again how much I love this little land of mine - I couldn`t live anywhere else. .<br />
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<br />Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-91715067216683986312012-04-23T15:14:00.000-07:002012-04-23T15:14:51.223-07:00Autumn in Aotearoa ..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIu86Nyn2ieGT2062pl9trdLqjM-EoUKZ8i1LKKKk7pyeR9zGsKOodQnV2Y8O5NX8Ug1Wix2Hct3ECyFSCcX3-6lHHfKee3-hMQ2WaJYzU1tQJwKLICzU7J3F11d2rbyTDOMZ4Cwi43MXW/s1600/honey+from+tb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIu86Nyn2ieGT2062pl9trdLqjM-EoUKZ8i1LKKKk7pyeR9zGsKOodQnV2Y8O5NX8Ug1Wix2Hct3ECyFSCcX3-6lHHfKee3-hMQ2WaJYzU1tQJwKLICzU7J3F11d2rbyTDOMZ4Cwi43MXW/s400/honey+from+tb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Honey and wax from a NZ topbar hive ! Enough for family and friends while leaving plenty for the bees over winter. This lovely pic is of a fellow TB beekeeper`s hive, Graham lives an hour or so north of where I am, in the Pukekohe area.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA1i-t1wvwRVX1osMLdZpsk4kziM6vW6qMa434dgKooZiXGtBwwCCUMxuzB9R5oSPdA8TEI7gfcd30ui6jA-67v1iBv6AHtKiLejzABez2jhJbgW7mCjJca1hyO428aMNyqCM82jxyJc3/s1600/IMG_4495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA1i-t1wvwRVX1osMLdZpsk4kziM6vW6qMa434dgKooZiXGtBwwCCUMxuzB9R5oSPdA8TEI7gfcd30ui6jA-67v1iBv6AHtKiLejzABez2jhJbgW7mCjJca1hyO428aMNyqCM82jxyJc3/s400/IMG_4495.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The dear old drones are being flung out in all directions from my TB hive at the moment ! We are having the most amazingly beautiful autumn weather - cool temps with blue-sky days and warm afternoons, the bees are bringing in pollen by the legs full and the air is alive with golden bodies.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXduN9KnDQQAGTFDj7nlxtjoEN3MqgXvWqaYrBmc8P7sCtR06pr7JHFsuAY8_W32mZgW_XVhqvpx4HmyqMi66wC2-w0CkhSNTle77XvqEN5LGchzKUDhol-gy6DRA5WCjbcHxWQqlnnC4Q/s1600/IMG_4537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXduN9KnDQQAGTFDj7nlxtjoEN3MqgXvWqaYrBmc8P7sCtR06pr7JHFsuAY8_W32mZgW_XVhqvpx4HmyqMi66wC2-w0CkhSNTle77XvqEN5LGchzKUDhol-gy6DRA5WCjbcHxWQqlnnC4Q/s400/IMG_4537.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Worker bee taking some of her honey back ! I have discovered that I can play around with my pics (slow learner ) and make them even more detailed ! I take so many photos, I really need to sort them out but am definitely not a techie type, so will wait for my daughter to be home and she can do it ! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKY0Sfl6g4CE-N7SekfOoFRNmgwNaIjJUDJZILfOX2gkJhv9XykhTf-hADvb0hSYc9KZh8bMTnyGigpILtoa4Fy7gHRaHt6an6XoU7HAES1tmBow_CWIyDt5c3eakn_2sGb0MiwSSxm8om/s1600/IMG_4515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKY0Sfl6g4CE-N7SekfOoFRNmgwNaIjJUDJZILfOX2gkJhv9XykhTf-hADvb0hSYc9KZh8bMTnyGigpILtoa4Fy7gHRaHt6an6XoU7HAES1tmBow_CWIyDt5c3eakn_2sGb0MiwSSxm8om/s400/IMG_4515.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Icing sugar dusting my bees - please excuse the water spray bottle in the background ! I don`t use a smoker, I find it irritates and stresses the bees, plus I smell like an old chimney - the water does the trick, stops them in their tracks and they retire to have a good lick of the slightly sweet water ! I am dusting with my special puffer thingie, such a great tool and many thanks to my friend Rachel from Whanganui for finding it. It is light enough to use with one hand, which comes in very useful when you need to hold the comb up, puff, take photos and generally get into a sticky mess . . It works like bellows, blowing a fine mist of icing sugar onto the bees without to many big blobs if the sugar is dry. It can be brought from a pest place in Christchurch for the princely sum of $26 - was designed to hold some ghastly poison powder most probably ! Hopefully I have dealt to varroa with the use of this great gadget every 3 weeks - I haven`t seen any sign of the deadly pest, but thats not to say there are none there of course . . .Below is the link to said puffer :<br />
<a href="http://www.nopests.co.nz/?product=puffer-duster" target="_blank">http://www.nopests.co.nz/?<wbr></wbr>product=puffer-duster </a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtHswHuLl-kuENwevO8jc6yNuBorq7kXUY6XDvT4eLA_qRHKz5L4dq7WxSCoLd8w3drqjxw4_Z9BLcdhF1BMs7QxYVj8SrZb32Zhw6jVsHcM9YmRS63zCtiWYPqOPlE_vCCkAhkGl6EfA/s1600/IMG_4571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtHswHuLl-kuENwevO8jc6yNuBorq7kXUY6XDvT4eLA_qRHKz5L4dq7WxSCoLd8w3drqjxw4_Z9BLcdhF1BMs7QxYVj8SrZb32Zhw6jVsHcM9YmRS63zCtiWYPqOPlE_vCCkAhkGl6EfA/s400/IMG_4571.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Lastly, one of my favorite autumn flowers. . . <i>Salvia leucantha, </i>grown from a cutting and now a decent size bush which I will cut back quite hard after it has flowered. Bees love salvias, Another great sp is <i>Salvia elegans </i>or pineapple sage - the plant in the sustainable garden in the Hamilton Gardens ( the jewel in our crown) was absolutely covered in honey bees last Sunday - I`m not a huge fan of the red flowers, but as bee food it is a must, especially as it flowers all autumn - give it a hard prune also.Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-70863879100154387502012-02-24T00:39:00.000-08:002012-02-24T00:39:13.428-08:00Perfect Bee Home. .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-41oKY0Avpw8M0Ug6mjlxk3HUbTSBXSzveNDhltlrLLZrhPp1BauC7fGAIztLQFfQyG3txKhzWEzvpSppnugbhH6mVyNKr_UGurBs3uBC6_KCp8N9T8wklWnGAii9TzlD2UDtHY6Ma2N/s1600/IMG_4310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-41oKY0Avpw8M0Ug6mjlxk3HUbTSBXSzveNDhltlrLLZrhPp1BauC7fGAIztLQFfQyG3txKhzWEzvpSppnugbhH6mVyNKr_UGurBs3uBC6_KCp8N9T8wklWnGAii9TzlD2UDtHY6Ma2N/s400/IMG_4310.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This afternoon I drove out to the small village of Matangi, afew miles east of the city to check 3 topbar hives belonging to friends. The first 2 hives were really humming !! A number of heavy nectar filled combs on either side of 3 full of brood at all stages - fantastic to see. An excellent laying pattern with nectar and capped honey with some drone cells around the edges. I saw quite afew drones on the combs as well - rounded bottoms and big eyes ! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rZRdALQZSCFq53XjLAZibMm05w5QYV64x7hbwp-p6bQ7Us0izZdy0sX5zGIjR9pcJusL4kwYRXIPEt2a1DJCcr7-hDJbgyf2NbqoW53SPqYX2b8mGITdaToU0tLIsksMpuFJrqla69m_/s1600/IMG_4315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rZRdALQZSCFq53XjLAZibMm05w5QYV64x7hbwp-p6bQ7Us0izZdy0sX5zGIjR9pcJusL4kwYRXIPEt2a1DJCcr7-hDJbgyf2NbqoW53SPqYX2b8mGITdaToU0tLIsksMpuFJrqla69m_/s400/IMG_4315.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>In the small hive which had been rescued from a wall, the bees have started to build new comb - here they are festooning, hanging by their feet in a chain, the wax being excreted from under their abdomens, tiny white slivers, passed up the chain to form the hexagonal cells.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OO7HqT-NIVjhnpjULO8oW6s8qk2F7bc16AVOVzmgMkKkhIOD2IhAcuUYh7T-tzECFSNlrd4d4SPxZXqKGp-Qi52UJh_1XbFnXWuOLA_V7dKH1dHgLxP1H8F-QwJ8B9TK9mqb3FUQ841s/s1600/IMG_4311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OO7HqT-NIVjhnpjULO8oW6s8qk2F7bc16AVOVzmgMkKkhIOD2IhAcuUYh7T-tzECFSNlrd4d4SPxZXqKGp-Qi52UJh_1XbFnXWuOLA_V7dKH1dHgLxP1H8F-QwJ8B9TK9mqb3FUQ841s/s400/IMG_4311.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It certainly is an amazing creation - perfect in every possible way. . . a warm home, food storage, strong yet bendy, a womb for the babies and smells divine . .Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-20237195161493902842012-02-19T21:47:00.000-08:002012-02-19T21:47:43.328-08:00Healthy, Happy Carniolans Buzzing Naturally !<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MuaucOe_BQ5wqrvN1cUrQA3rqvVmf9_t9rskHEyug0b_fot0afLAe_-66IV4qG_FTUsAPrp-50pQlc04-VQnLh2w7X9VSrHA2sSIlp17JyOoeWIZKcPwGyLp90hTBBLZF5Dt3UevZW0a/s1600/IMG_4224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MuaucOe_BQ5wqrvN1cUrQA3rqvVmf9_t9rskHEyug0b_fot0afLAe_-66IV4qG_FTUsAPrp-50pQlc04-VQnLh2w7X9VSrHA2sSIlp17JyOoeWIZKcPwGyLp90hTBBLZF5Dt3UevZW0a/s400/IMG_4224.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Rachel`s TopBar hive was due for a check and sugar shake while I was staying with her in Whanganui last weekend. So, with Rachel in her bee suit and me in shorts, top and jandles plus my trusty veil, we wandered up to the hive on a beautiful morning. The bees were already very busy and extremely docile which surprised me with these slightly darker then their Italian cousins honey bees. We must have had the hive open for at least 30mins while we checked every bar of comb, not one sting and quiet bees - it is all about how you work around these insects - carefully, quiet and slow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBswT1VinxBGEUElXrbFu5La-1T_CvweuKAOnsXXpZdvLgK5b3DFzSibnMv6gcE0aGLcqRTkABeDgboJq_1zq11uIHkqe2fkC1A5iV2_zPz3oOCBktk0_WO8GV-TLK9h241_YLIU51WdX/s1600/IMG_4229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBswT1VinxBGEUElXrbFu5La-1T_CvweuKAOnsXXpZdvLgK5b3DFzSibnMv6gcE0aGLcqRTkABeDgboJq_1zq11uIHkqe2fkC1A5iV2_zPz3oOCBktk0_WO8GV-TLK9h241_YLIU51WdX/s400/IMG_4229.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Last time the hive had been opened, one of the combs had started to fall so Rachel has used cable ties to thread thru the top of the comb and tie over the bar which works really well, holding the comb firmly. There were at least 4 combs of brood, really good laying pattern, lots of nectar and pollen being brought in - one of the signs of a healthy hive, rachel saw eggs and larvae and there was no sign of any disease or varroa - yah ! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdXX0x3queT9XqRDZ0_VOee4gR84NH7mfWySUx1HOr3THq9UCo6UxANrMRKV1iyyhuo3Fj5bK5ENOcMrlMdTrX915SroWMvmnDnnmRBPMVtYpQlohmQwpFOjhMzbjPgHntjIFYkcLarfp/s1600/IMG_4225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdXX0x3queT9XqRDZ0_VOee4gR84NH7mfWySUx1HOr3THq9UCo6UxANrMRKV1iyyhuo3Fj5bK5ENOcMrlMdTrX915SroWMvmnDnnmRBPMVtYpQlohmQwpFOjhMzbjPgHntjIFYkcLarfp/s400/IMG_4225.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Whike we had the hive open I did a sugar shake over each comb with this doozy little doofer - I have ordered one !! Working on the bellows system, it puffs out a fine spray of icing sugar, so easy to use with one hand and great coverage. I have the NZ link to the site if you want one to ! Thanks Rachel.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4-OWBzSGpuk5iEP6fLpUFHBagtIU6lnAXpvmcpMcLKtbLR3DqQBe6d-ZsFth_Xurev2eC65JIoNvDeuJdAzpeDNHdk4J-XQX6iVtseYEGGn2NsqPJPRNUnwCn2P_MWQDUOgGPGa1XMr7/s1600/IMG_4235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4-OWBzSGpuk5iEP6fLpUFHBagtIU6lnAXpvmcpMcLKtbLR3DqQBe6d-ZsFth_Xurev2eC65JIoNvDeuJdAzpeDNHdk4J-XQX6iVtseYEGGn2NsqPJPRNUnwCn2P_MWQDUOgGPGa1XMr7/s400/IMG_4235.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The pest management division of bee keeping in NZ has decided in its `wisdom` to make TB hives illegal without the bars having frames ! Only in NZ, no other country in the world has this stupid rule, we will need to have frames in our hives to be compliant by next year I`m thinking. Rachel had the frames made for most of her bars, it will help to keep the comb contained, but still, I don`t believe it should be compulsory. It is all about the inspection of the frames for AFB which has sparked this row, the inspectors don`t believe a TB comb can be inspected properly - they can be of course, it may take afew seconds longer, take it abit slower and not flip the bar around, but inspection of a TB comb can be and has been done.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhmzFOSpAsgJ6StulwUWxnx1UM-IDNf7EglOT3dfTe1XEJrlcDaH_3YiacvKfdjquAltV24fCoZEVEI-FsFvoE7f-cH62xBN7Nc1CrmZyHpBN78fPBOWopS6RsKX5wzMqdTYyDFRtGJ06/s1600/IMG_4236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhmzFOSpAsgJ6StulwUWxnx1UM-IDNf7EglOT3dfTe1XEJrlcDaH_3YiacvKfdjquAltV24fCoZEVEI-FsFvoE7f-cH62xBN7Nc1CrmZyHpBN78fPBOWopS6RsKX5wzMqdTYyDFRtGJ06/s400/IMG_4236.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Rachel gently brushing bees off the bars with grass before putting the roof on. I was really impressed with her gentleness working with her bees, a very new bee carer, she has a total holistic way of `beeing`. There was very little loud buzzing or angry sounds - all in all. . . an enjoyable morning.Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-4803414573158234132012-02-19T20:29:00.000-08:002012-02-19T20:29:53.298-08:00TopBar Hives in Whanganui ..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqwNDeW0DO7W2mFKsEIr0e8e8i7onf4toX37UNiSxSrmm5O_3vtQp-DUwrRsLYo9WsiKc6_0UM7Dl0-PVnmePPgI8kyV2JdcviDYjVrnDeObouzPhakkHaevDu9guYc_XbxY0SO-Z1z6J/s1600/IMG_4185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqwNDeW0DO7W2mFKsEIr0e8e8i7onf4toX37UNiSxSrmm5O_3vtQp-DUwrRsLYo9WsiKc6_0UM7Dl0-PVnmePPgI8kyV2JdcviDYjVrnDeObouzPhakkHaevDu9guYc_XbxY0SO-Z1z6J/s400/IMG_4185.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>My friend Rachel`s beautiful TopBar hive, set among leafy trees, next to a large lily pond, with the stunning backdrop of Australian flowering gum trees - a perfect place for her very busy Carniolan honey bees to live and collect nectar and pollen.<br />
This serene place, the Quaker Settlement ( oldest in NZ) in the west coast city of Whanganui, was the setting for my latest natural beekeeping workshop, held last Saturday. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fNLDls3C7DahKcrwoCYVaZgp5bJONOXzgd4Ul-lLhwvAzWRMmXHqvC71YEPngvt3TQ29r2ovHGBX-YPf_gLmiOiDZG9SC2NkK00Me3y1HiDQy3OBRTp7dE1jBT4d12VA2344ritxu8Sc/s1600/IMG_4188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fNLDls3C7DahKcrwoCYVaZgp5bJONOXzgd4Ul-lLhwvAzWRMmXHqvC71YEPngvt3TQ29r2ovHGBX-YPf_gLmiOiDZG9SC2NkK00Me3y1HiDQy3OBRTp7dE1jBT4d12VA2344ritxu8Sc/s400/IMG_4188.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The group of 17 including 2 dads with their sons, mixed and mingled over lunch in the sunny courtyard out from the quiet room where I held my workshop. It is the best place . . . peaceful, no noise except birds, surrounded by trees and gardens. One of the young boys, who I wouldn`t have thought would have been older then 12, already has 5 hives and so enthused - does my heart good to see the children so keen and knowledgeable. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGV4QN-hRPsA0ducDby-QXE1_Mt67KC3XlFxe-Qc7ZUqdGnlqF0JYztG0n5QP5JdqyGjamyHOHv7GKLF0StBBkZLhQ9mYTnOnkuZneUpMdzV-30XPBra5BQyCf71f-bOeI17vKWJyelNs3/s1600/IMG_4201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGV4QN-hRPsA0ducDby-QXE1_Mt67KC3XlFxe-Qc7ZUqdGnlqF0JYztG0n5QP5JdqyGjamyHOHv7GKLF0StBBkZLhQ9mYTnOnkuZneUpMdzV-30XPBra5BQyCf71f-bOeI17vKWJyelNs3/s400/IMG_4201.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Late afternoon we all traipsed up to see Rachel`s hive. Having a long window along the back, it was easy for the people to see each comb covered with bees, hanging down from the bars - the first time many had seen this beautiful sight ! The eagle eyes of young Aran spotted the beginnings of a queen cell which Rachel and I saw the next day when we opened the hive ( next posting).<br />
Having the working hive to observe was excellent, if you have never been close-up to a hive and thousands of bees, it can be quite scary, but all my wonderfully sustainable organically -minded new bee carers, happily sat on their haunches behind the hive and gazed in wonder . . Just what I aim for !Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-48240278553535233182012-02-12T19:26:00.000-08:002012-02-12T19:26:42.533-08:00Bee Burning Questions . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZnZnMSNtEKSxe1jdPr9NbFrA3cbcg87t_6QhOR1-g8XEwmi_sGLYCXYJtf-8Z5frwedb2y4J72iGbMsIOYSHe5Bvkq-1vxlCGa34MbGw1PzIeW052OYAWmS6wQBYpf2sLOomGnuQhNIW/s1600/IMG_4176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZnZnMSNtEKSxe1jdPr9NbFrA3cbcg87t_6QhOR1-g8XEwmi_sGLYCXYJtf-8Z5frwedb2y4J72iGbMsIOYSHe5Bvkq-1vxlCGa34MbGw1PzIeW052OYAWmS6wQBYpf2sLOomGnuQhNIW/s400/IMG_4176.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>My friend Heidi and I held a fun afternoon yesterday. We invited other beecarers to come around, spend the afternoon at Heidi`s wonderful eco-house and hit me with questions !<br />
About 20 keen folks arrived with a great, informative, many laughings (?) time spent in very cool company. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74vbKr7SCGg58KQnwPnxTPW9hsWJYTyEbAgmHAdo4RpnsBy3Aeoe_eM1qj1PpCoAqv67jCGqE4NZJU-RF3-jmtEsxpI8cydvvZmliiieISQwiLGjjMa5TNeA1AlApy_lBqKNvoMEHEOaL/s1600/IMG_4168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74vbKr7SCGg58KQnwPnxTPW9hsWJYTyEbAgmHAdo4RpnsBy3Aeoe_eM1qj1PpCoAqv67jCGqE4NZJU-RF3-jmtEsxpI8cydvvZmliiieISQwiLGjjMa5TNeA1AlApy_lBqKNvoMEHEOaL/s400/IMG_4168.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> The garden surrounding this architecturally designed home contains many herbs, veges and other bee food plants plus NZ natives .All water is recycled, 2 worm farms, one for composting and the other is connected to the loo, everything broken down, filtered thru a reed bed and out onto the garden - not a smell in sniffing distance ! Solar heating thru out and soon to be off the grid, It is truly a beautiful home and perfect place for a gathering of organics !<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj227HfuZAGOzpnUPz-mYAooCgqYn32rUnCwBnpUf_DEieNEUxLii9VeVuAu7u3S8MBikjLku9nF0darNuwM5x59w-gVElZZqtaNdSpsZFq0jpWdZl7H7vwUEd10ZrK3MBIVq_gPAz_EjJo/s1600/IMG_4169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj227HfuZAGOzpnUPz-mYAooCgqYn32rUnCwBnpUf_DEieNEUxLii9VeVuAu7u3S8MBikjLku9nF0darNuwM5x59w-gVElZZqtaNdSpsZFq0jpWdZl7H7vwUEd10ZrK3MBIVq_gPAz_EjJo/s400/IMG_4169.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Tomatoes amongst the sunflowers, lots of companion planting, like myself, Heidi cultivates afew healthy weeds including thistle ! Seed heads abound and the bio-diversity is evident, with lots of bugs, bees and birds jostling for food.<br />
It was really rewarding to sit with these keen bee carers, knowing we all think along the same lines when it comes to our planet - a very good afternoon for my soul - aroha to you all . . . . . .Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-18891096749674326812012-01-28T22:22:00.000-08:002012-01-28T22:22:06.650-08:00Natural Beekeeping Workshop - South Island NZ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYwCU0d3OK-a8utFj-4O952SEhqdwP0ofGQTlNXaxML8Xm7e9EVToYzwk4xU_qXG_kaWW1stIfjDAkjC7NPnOTt-ZJ9j6c2EKItQF33632yTr5O3qEr64AwpQN3_vacmKuqSydOtXldvn/s1600/IMG_4089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYwCU0d3OK-a8utFj-4O952SEhqdwP0ofGQTlNXaxML8Xm7e9EVToYzwk4xU_qXG_kaWW1stIfjDAkjC7NPnOTt-ZJ9j6c2EKItQF33632yTr5O3qEr64AwpQN3_vacmKuqSydOtXldvn/s400/IMG_4089.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>A perfect view of the Southern Alps, a mountain chain that forms the back bone of the South Island, greeted me as I made the flight from Auckland in the north to Dunedin in the south just over a week ago. I was on my way down to the deep south ( next stop Antarctica) to run a natural beekeeping workshop as part of the Summer School, Oamaru. It was an absolutely stunning summer day with views of the lakes, rivers and mountain valleys of my beautiful country.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpPB-A2pittiYtTdakloQ8GaPfd1nGi9aDQ0bfdU7ND-UTlNbfhk5juy4qCTx9w0_Gz0pgF4ChFAj89LbtYQWgyjxRCLHv3L3I-HXA2N6W_sj1rI2j3M9UCDYvx0f21kFq2xM4dIfX7pV/s1600/IMG_4111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpPB-A2pittiYtTdakloQ8GaPfd1nGi9aDQ0bfdU7ND-UTlNbfhk5juy4qCTx9w0_Gz0pgF4ChFAj89LbtYQWgyjxRCLHv3L3I-HXA2N6W_sj1rI2j3M9UCDYvx0f21kFq2xM4dIfX7pV/s400/IMG_4111.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>My workshop was held at Camp Iona in Herbert, a short distance south of Oamaru. After the morning spent listening to me talk, watch an excellent dvd and general discussion, we wandered on down to check out Marian`s hives including her TopBar yet to have bees.<br />
It was a very successful day, another group of keen people, eager to learn natural beekeeping, some already having hives, looking at caring for their bees in a more compassionate way. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGibCKCVtviSW-U_4LeCJM7qdiOtNFbx3sfP1YUkDeB13KyM7tKUcxYXtLxqr6Ct1GzWnqxOzkMirHGNraGl_sFQAEvLtaJaPRjCoXsc3822kBbvJbSVYvmW63CfTH3Y5tCXrwFEFbmzJB/s1600/IMG_4118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGibCKCVtviSW-U_4LeCJM7qdiOtNFbx3sfP1YUkDeB13KyM7tKUcxYXtLxqr6Ct1GzWnqxOzkMirHGNraGl_sFQAEvLtaJaPRjCoXsc3822kBbvJbSVYvmW63CfTH3Y5tCXrwFEFbmzJB/s400/IMG_4118.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The TB hive was placed beside a small poplar tree that has a hive of bees living in it, a swarm this summer, so hopefully we can persuade them to relocate into the TB. The long grass was perfect for the scything lesson which took place here the next day.Otago was very dry compared to the wet, green Waikato I come from. Lots of hay being made, rolling hills with mountains in the background, very beautiful landscape.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPxvh5jEhixnA10URvGRmuTDfE2PQhYpf_CgpY2QT4fz1RPZcrrE2X7OpKib9GpqsaNuh8vbU6rg2rIOi-Q1VVPL2h4R6wdQ3L90HqP1nFUUWgilfcjEuDCh5wiqE-nkkWfMrF1tXJ_oj/s1600/IMG_4126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPxvh5jEhixnA10URvGRmuTDfE2PQhYpf_CgpY2QT4fz1RPZcrrE2X7OpKib9GpqsaNuh8vbU6rg2rIOi-Q1VVPL2h4R6wdQ3L90HqP1nFUUWgilfcjEuDCh5wiqE-nkkWfMrF1tXJ_oj/s400/IMG_4126.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> Scything - something I would like to learn to do - it looks so calming. I have a friend who has learnt to scythe, she recommends it highly. The long, dry grass of Marian`s paddock was ideal to scythe, with a number of keen, fit people ready to learn. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpfts4aPEq-xWVDtmMpMMG5FMSoA1j6YGK3_1tfmNesZO4Jk2uhGXDdRHmT3ejJKA2MK85oisOMTeq1Zl7be6HTaK4k7hsPwoiYIDRKMHjEZrfjdXR6V8URAh7PhuGw2Yjd6vVzJoFvFB/s1600/IMG_4128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpfts4aPEq-xWVDtmMpMMG5FMSoA1j6YGK3_1tfmNesZO4Jk2uhGXDdRHmT3ejJKA2MK85oisOMTeq1Zl7be6HTaK4k7hsPwoiYIDRKMHjEZrfjdXR6V8URAh7PhuGw2Yjd6vVzJoFvFB/s400/IMG_4128.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> Sheryl, one of my lovely workshop participants, has a warre hive ! The first warre I had seen, she now has another box with a window along the back, on the hive. It was too cool and windy to open, I certainly didn`t want to chill the brood or let all the warmth and scent out just for a quick look. The boxes are smaller then a Langstrothe hive with a quilt box under the roof, Sheryl has wood shavings in hers. I want to get one of these hives next spring !<br />
I had an excellent time in the south or as the islanders call it, the `mainland` and hope to go back down next spring to run another workshop, combined with bee plantings, spend time with my lovely family in Oamaru and connect with all the bee guardians. . .Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-3232176631310035382012-01-05T23:20:00.000-08:002012-01-05T23:20:00.273-08:00beezy things ..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGbnyRGWrMIxOTRaaNqrSlY804PY4y2UM4uB9kI2mMkVHueSMccp5YD1jqHeE67fz_9LHyrRU6-F5ruiNQHr9aiNAElnsxkuJlXyJToKHeYtqBAORmLvI00pMzxdj4WuLJqv0VCCExqP0/s1600/IMG_4062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGbnyRGWrMIxOTRaaNqrSlY804PY4y2UM4uB9kI2mMkVHueSMccp5YD1jqHeE67fz_9LHyrRU6-F5ruiNQHr9aiNAElnsxkuJlXyJToKHeYtqBAORmLvI00pMzxdj4WuLJqv0VCCExqP0/s400/IMG_4062.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Wellington, NZ`s capital city is one of my favorite places. I had the pleasure of spending 5 days there with my youngest daughter over Christmas. It was such a delightful time, being shown around her University city by my gorgeous girl. Off my bucket list were a number of items including visiting Katherine Mansfield`s birthplace and Karori sanctuary,both did not disappoint me.<br />
The above sign led me into the best laid-out secondhand bookshop I have ever been into ! Plus I found an old beekeeping book, published in 1923. `The Story of the Hive` by Canning Williams. The name of the shop having nothing to do with bees apparently.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89jI3dpOjkntoe0HNQ6_iR-hjigh6MJqqP9gj2EoGNDkPA_IerJRH0vmoOGgSJBeJTHL5j1i2uk7vOS2EvZomWMf43KgDYrexV3vwyPTE7h7RSQoCQyIVmA843AeX_AnWS1YEHKwbX_FE/s1600/IMG_4060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89jI3dpOjkntoe0HNQ6_iR-hjigh6MJqqP9gj2EoGNDkPA_IerJRH0vmoOGgSJBeJTHL5j1i2uk7vOS2EvZomWMf43KgDYrexV3vwyPTE7h7RSQoCQyIVmA843AeX_AnWS1YEHKwbX_FE/s400/IMG_4060.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Tucked down an old street was this cool little shop, full of delicious bee goodies. Honey from all over the country, lotions and potions, propolis lollies, yum icecream, soft buzzy toys with wiggly black antennae and of course our own `buzzy bee`, a wooden toy with clacky wings that all young kiwis have towed along behind them since the 1950`s or so - even Prince William had one !Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-69447193643169544712011-12-13T00:49:00.000-08:002011-12-13T00:49:59.490-08:00Another Excited TopBar Guardian . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkt3BWlhiQ-VNUMu8L4aFxxhlk7E4tBQ8XB4Xs_tJaJW00Ji2NSOOhj3_mn1ML6fkAL4Rd_oS6Z0lnOrjfBYAMs_h8ira0EdnWiyW-dDBDvy-2E4FYqqP1nIScwdd6BXJmiwd-eVDQBuz/s1600/IMG_3916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkt3BWlhiQ-VNUMu8L4aFxxhlk7E4tBQ8XB4Xs_tJaJW00Ji2NSOOhj3_mn1ML6fkAL4Rd_oS6Z0lnOrjfBYAMs_h8ira0EdnWiyW-dDBDvy-2E4FYqqP1nIScwdd6BXJmiwd-eVDQBuz/s400/IMG_3916.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Beautiful bees arrived at their new home at night, all tucked up in a special carry box on 4 frames of brood and honey. Bees get couriered here in NZ, not through the daily post - they come very secure.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqi1xTtK5k-9PhOSwdcK0EQgCsZw4u8SkFeQBxH25UmwiLqgJLe4bXJFXxtWCcVtSmTZh_JXXTA8fGWbuJJIj1D20RRDV7KQAc8LREisGuuMi4KLsg_CeZyou1yLTlfw3o6NECeS0G6hK/s1600/IMG_3918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqi1xTtK5k-9PhOSwdcK0EQgCsZw4u8SkFeQBxH25UmwiLqgJLe4bXJFXxtWCcVtSmTZh_JXXTA8fGWbuJJIj1D20RRDV7KQAc8LREisGuuMi4KLsg_CeZyou1yLTlfw3o6NECeS0G6hK/s400/IMG_3918.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The bees had to stay in the box in a cool garage until I could get around to help Jane put them into her new TB hive. All very exciting - lots of buzzy bees that were very well behaved considering ..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_0KlUCfYnpYEvZLbH_yI-SjCGX_X1wPQQsAccK-v3IznqR9uF-G6G9vcUNJ4qRjH1XgwTp2Et_RLcj-HJ7Ql8zyOB2v-FrvtgXiPUnIMDGMq81U04Sk9ibCzamZmJ1Mcz7XzFqPGabSO/s1600/j18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_0KlUCfYnpYEvZLbH_yI-SjCGX_X1wPQQsAccK-v3IznqR9uF-G6G9vcUNJ4qRjH1XgwTp2Et_RLcj-HJ7Ql8zyOB2v-FrvtgXiPUnIMDGMq81U04Sk9ibCzamZmJ1Mcz7XzFqPGabSO/s400/j18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Jane carrying, very carefully, her box of bees. The nuc contained afew thousands girls and one queen with a yellow dot, which I managed to see as she scurried away from the light . <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHryo_cTBnUCMzUK8HGct1PhpTGlEM0E4vOWQePgFrv0fnbHCEb1V-MeLiWkNNvOVfO3FJRSiRMjPDEYVpr7Os5Xvij_BLNrYGwgg_9EQJT4RF_CmdMfSZ0m8t4Qf6WDlHQWP0CH44VTj/s1600/j9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHryo_cTBnUCMzUK8HGct1PhpTGlEM0E4vOWQePgFrv0fnbHCEb1V-MeLiWkNNvOVfO3FJRSiRMjPDEYVpr7Os5Xvij_BLNrYGwgg_9EQJT4RF_CmdMfSZ0m8t4Qf6WDlHQWP0CH44VTj/s400/j9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>After carefully taking all the tape off from around the edges, trying hard not to jar the box, the bees sort of just milled around. I gave them acouple of sprays from the water/sugar bottle to take their minds off what we were doing,while we brushed them gently off the frames into the TopBar hive.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVI_slWAOSUHlV4oVgHnhyphenhyphenb15AC4rQWkOIpOHyaflLFzfwslu74TcpriygOtX_94Iu_oQtiaezZedApfAca8IIrPocSQHcu7Y0z8ZA8rharQZajGtvdnPzavpyBCU6uUVZiygZvhGqn8bY/s1600/j11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVI_slWAOSUHlV4oVgHnhyphenhyphenb15AC4rQWkOIpOHyaflLFzfwslu74TcpriygOtX_94Iu_oQtiaezZedApfAca8IIrPocSQHcu7Y0z8ZA8rharQZajGtvdnPzavpyBCU6uUVZiygZvhGqn8bY/s400/j11.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>A friend took lots of pics which was great, as I usually end up with sticky hands and camera or blurred pics. Richard has a Lang hive so he took the frames home to put in his hive. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqB2_PWinqa6ywAmh36gc4FG4LWjYM7wLj-Vo6GU9hbJI4FFafrN0oGsfw57oZoqoqzoTzVm9JdaQW1yT2Xtii79zlueGfrhnkT3wLFpf7VXtfKzRLFzujupzcTZTBw85ad4LGjFf0KoP/s1600/j14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqB2_PWinqa6ywAmh36gc4FG4LWjYM7wLj-Vo6GU9hbJI4FFafrN0oGsfw57oZoqoqzoTzVm9JdaQW1yT2Xtii79zlueGfrhnkT3wLFpf7VXtfKzRLFzujupzcTZTBw85ad4LGjFf0KoP/s400/j14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>One more proud bee guardian . . . Settled in amongst the veges and herbs, a very short distance from the Waikato river, these bees will be very happy.Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-65641935827337985622011-12-08T22:02:00.000-08:002011-12-08T22:02:49.049-08:00Lacy Phacelia. . Perfect Bee Food<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXpnyo-nrF9Sb0k3uLi2qDzZ-8t3GJEIwB4pXNG6C17cGz3TtR6EtEwydHExgaYGPNaw5Lq9Zebo6wMS9AIS3kI78CxFWaNFYLN4Dt4Zw8BxWdUt0XNjOpqPXsZmt-wRo438mqbsfBYI2/s1600/IMG_3929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXpnyo-nrF9Sb0k3uLi2qDzZ-8t3GJEIwB4pXNG6C17cGz3TtR6EtEwydHExgaYGPNaw5Lq9Zebo6wMS9AIS3kI78CxFWaNFYLN4Dt4Zw8BxWdUt0XNjOpqPXsZmt-wRo438mqbsfBYI2/s400/IMG_3929.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <i>Phacelia tanacetifolia o</i>r Lacy Phacelia is a<i> </i>pretty little annual which flowers for weeks, self seeds and pops up everywhere, is a very important garden attractant for all pollinators including honey bees. Mine always has bumble bees on it, from early morning till nearly dark. It is native to southen USA, growing in any sort of conditions, can get abit out of hand, but easily pulled out - give away the seedlings and spread the love ! (Love for the bees that is). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-VpXia-xfo2n8seD8HzzgiVzkCUMbVMyikoq4xJfu-Vnz2-IOP4SCcXnT8peSZ4hWChx9mWl4BEvmh-ObTVUvsUban2EgF9ZjlFtuHsWSI8tT_RTHwJBd2r3M9EaSJ6-zN98z9W4FIVp/s1600/IMG_3928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-VpXia-xfo2n8seD8HzzgiVzkCUMbVMyikoq4xJfu-Vnz2-IOP4SCcXnT8peSZ4hWChx9mWl4BEvmh-ObTVUvsUban2EgF9ZjlFtuHsWSI8tT_RTHwJBd2r3M9EaSJ6-zN98z9W4FIVp/s400/IMG_3928.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I think I must have a nest of <i>Bombus terrestas </i>in my garden as there are literally dozens of small worker bumbles all over my flowers all day. I love these wee creatures, I do hope I have a nest, must try and follow one home in the evening. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkZIRwwMPktcSEFdIcShom0RgfcDHAOKXj6Us6ky5oTeMVYNwPulZyJUPTiZ87wQDxFK3BosMsRCfYg-LZ5x6FYSLsWTBfZDxY-JwjYA-FtzXeshVapPdmvp7XABPT4dabPlgvhvxvJpZ/s1600/IMG_3935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkZIRwwMPktcSEFdIcShom0RgfcDHAOKXj6Us6ky5oTeMVYNwPulZyJUPTiZ87wQDxFK3BosMsRCfYg-LZ5x6FYSLsWTBfZDxY-JwjYA-FtzXeshVapPdmvp7XABPT4dabPlgvhvxvJpZ/s400/IMG_3935.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Interesting seed capsules with lots of tiny seeds ready to spread everywhere, this plant is often grown as a cover crop overseas, it attracts wasps that will feast on caterpillars etc. Excellent to plant in orchards around fruit trees, attracting the beneficial insects.Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-11623133594891516852011-12-06T19:42:00.000-08:002011-12-06T19:42:04.171-08:00A Very Small Selection . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW94-uBRrHDxDUMqDMBKXO8Vg3KaQl4YKV2Q7fmCcnUwDREZnEwfB7pcWN1YwPw3DdFfSfz4ImSGSWBdbTgd6qvW34OC0g2GPble3vIIUGas5YKisgpC6EnE2s3olxZNisp4sU2eQT6lR6/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW94-uBRrHDxDUMqDMBKXO8Vg3KaQl4YKV2Q7fmCcnUwDREZnEwfB7pcWN1YwPw3DdFfSfz4ImSGSWBdbTgd6qvW34OC0g2GPble3vIIUGas5YKisgpC6EnE2s3olxZNisp4sU2eQT6lR6/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Views of my lounge . . . my small collection of `bee` dvds, ( not the bottom one) there are others not in fancy cases, docos like `Honeybee Blues` an excellent Australian view of what is happening to our bees in kangaroo land or `across the ditch` as we kiwis like to call it, also many other interesting reads a friend of mine down-loaded for me from sky, that I don`t get, and the net - they all hang out in plain pockets ! The Back Yard hive and Nicotine Bees I play for my adult students at beekeeping classes at night school and workshops, also a BBC version of ~Vanishing Bees` called `Whos killing our Honeybees` is shown as it then makes them realize how important it is we learn how to care for our bees before it is to late . . <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZUE5oLOSXG2jLqvdMvQQMXSqhuHRxx6xd-ceZLEd2DgoDRycy3LBmrdNj2_Ix-BjIC3FxY6hzwcmPe4b0qJsT_LTxmssDy4w_Qn-0QKWyDIVfkRpcZbIWI9CxzDQC_V2fR6X-P4lSTr9/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZUE5oLOSXG2jLqvdMvQQMXSqhuHRxx6xd-ceZLEd2DgoDRycy3LBmrdNj2_Ix-BjIC3FxY6hzwcmPe4b0qJsT_LTxmssDy4w_Qn-0QKWyDIVfkRpcZbIWI9CxzDQC_V2fR6X-P4lSTr9/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I have most of Michael King`s books. . . He is my all time favorite NZ author, sadly lost to us in a car accident afew years ago. His writing helped build bridges between Maori and Pakeha, he wrote in such a way that both races of people understood and identified with. His` History of New Zealand` has been a top selling book for a number of years now.<br />
I have many books. . . so many that one of my daughters won`t sleep anywhere near the floor to ceiling bookcase fearing it will fall on her !! Its not that bad really . . <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZntaRmy3iX1ctUj6tlMU53e36qVzR1knmLP9_mIyWXyVYimc_xzT3nY9SS9ukauhRZhXM4KCGfkzXKYoHS_a1p1eVQ3nNQ1U_QLcl23WcZEo2EQQad8vU25UJx7oJj4NPGrmXaib2SO27/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZntaRmy3iX1ctUj6tlMU53e36qVzR1knmLP9_mIyWXyVYimc_xzT3nY9SS9ukauhRZhXM4KCGfkzXKYoHS_a1p1eVQ3nNQ1U_QLcl23WcZEo2EQQad8vU25UJx7oJj4NPGrmXaib2SO27/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I love old china. . . tiny teacups collected from somewhere, many beautiful china plates, some I use as pictures on the wall, especially my favorite Carlton Ware or anything green with primroses !<br />
I have afew pieces that belonged to my Grandmother which I treasure, also a precious tiny pewter covered prayer book that my G Grand father brought for his new wife in 1907 - how cool is that. You need a magnifying glass to read it,<br />
A glimpse into my life ..Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-75794600147560289712011-12-02T22:41:00.000-08:002011-12-02T22:41:49.286-08:00Bees on Boards . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sGjcWY3mnWBRtYXd2dX7lmg3c-zKXlqfnIJvvhhgrfVXKaGolgJUy1RW_a1Na0YTWzKIHqmJk5cnhJVSjeGh9EFC4aRFYy6UxDMuwTf-yuVnuUt-1CH9yOfqXPJIpzAEAfQLK4XA3Hkg/s1600/IMG_3882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sGjcWY3mnWBRtYXd2dX7lmg3c-zKXlqfnIJvvhhgrfVXKaGolgJUy1RW_a1Na0YTWzKIHqmJk5cnhJVSjeGh9EFC4aRFYy6UxDMuwTf-yuVnuUt-1CH9yOfqXPJIpzAEAfQLK4XA3Hkg/s400/IMG_3882.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This exhibition titled; <b>REUSE/RECYCLE/REJOICE </b>is being held at ArtsPost, a very excellent gallery here in Hamilton NZ. Daniel Kirsch from Coromandel has screen printed bees and manuka flowers onto old, disused bee box ends ! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3t5Lbg6cTJYF4FUG1ev9muoKzkTkr3wsVEH7ozoda-PlZwsfQ5aDeEGipkZaMC2IKkFuYFq9pN4bzqS-rBHIkixORxAusS2bOn4Qbs4XYewUzet4wxH3e9PMp7XbP49tWA0ltLqStybJ/s1600/IMG_3895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3t5Lbg6cTJYF4FUG1ev9muoKzkTkr3wsVEH7ozoda-PlZwsfQ5aDeEGipkZaMC2IKkFuYFq9pN4bzqS-rBHIkixORxAusS2bOn4Qbs4XYewUzet4wxH3e9PMp7XbP49tWA0ltLqStybJ/s400/IMG_3895.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The old wood is left as rough as it was when found, the fresh images juxtaposed with a rough warm beauty created by time and elements. The colors used are the same as the color of hives you see all around the countryside. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_PEWdnSp81ts4nIrIAz_wuffGyx1IQfF0a7SdTe3BA258rzyNCTCywwSMs2dgk-2sihruG_YxcJXW5FVWnp5cxuLGYRNOq2-9MdboctLZdWVa9_fxBIRW7StL23zjp-LevJrY7mIiMVO/s1600/IMG_3896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_PEWdnSp81ts4nIrIAz_wuffGyx1IQfF0a7SdTe3BA258rzyNCTCywwSMs2dgk-2sihruG_YxcJXW5FVWnp5cxuLGYRNOq2-9MdboctLZdWVa9_fxBIRW7StL23zjp-LevJrY7mIiMVO/s400/IMG_3896.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bees on Boards . . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9-CIGlQbxatY6ueztm5Di6BqK_oYw1_rtNiAn24TZucWNeF_-q1HZF9pPPkVgS-9Q4Gm1Mp0l0NI1UTT0B9HZgTpV-bZbcFzBiUkxyttykf8hNrVe-qcgrPi1SGCJqxcKfWNcaJs70vK/s1600/IMG_3885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9-CIGlQbxatY6ueztm5Di6BqK_oYw1_rtNiAn24TZucWNeF_-q1HZF9pPPkVgS-9Q4Gm1Mp0l0NI1UTT0B9HZgTpV-bZbcFzBiUkxyttykf8hNrVe-qcgrPi1SGCJqxcKfWNcaJs70vK/s400/IMG_3885.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Puawananga, NZ native clematis on discarded boards from historic Coromandel buildings, I liked the feel of the old wood, roughened by the salt spray and wind, still with all the borer holes.. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6Fi4aHfV_dvI9bL0rmS0SE9fz3FJthCMeyjPOC0qJfdbNwMje76YKRLItm_A8kJ3LcwAmRkERIdCRMDz_bkn46dkiKSPi10kASo2fegAk0HU3YuNtVFv7rNFLETW5wO7rFUFZtG3v1YD/s1600/IMG_3902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6Fi4aHfV_dvI9bL0rmS0SE9fz3FJthCMeyjPOC0qJfdbNwMje76YKRLItm_A8kJ3LcwAmRkERIdCRMDz_bkn46dkiKSPi10kASo2fegAk0HU3YuNtVFv7rNFLETW5wO7rFUFZtG3v1YD/s400/IMG_3902.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">ArtsPost is a wonderful gallery with so many beautiful things to buy ! Stunning art, glass, ceramics, books, many of our local artists exhibit here, including my daughter, Meg Hockly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiB5Q6GmsTGB5OwqRkYnl49f7B5-M4JHFRei6SSAJQsytInhkMs-mqiO0yl3NFDm81SmrVou7S7fzi98jDWt9Mje8eqcK8H6KQkGD9UcX6d4Vffr3IWCLEzGMy1FcxWMtey5MV-2jWwCw4/s1600/IMG_3889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiB5Q6GmsTGB5OwqRkYnl49f7B5-M4JHFRei6SSAJQsytInhkMs-mqiO0yl3NFDm81SmrVou7S7fzi98jDWt9Mje8eqcK8H6KQkGD9UcX6d4Vffr3IWCLEzGMy1FcxWMtey5MV-2jWwCw4/s400/IMG_3889.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Click on the above pic to read all about this exhibition.Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-49737521877368346592011-12-01T20:48:00.000-08:002011-12-01T20:48:28.225-08:00More Caring Beekeepers . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_38jvx9l9Gjd8xwEq03ZUy3d-C0cNnwKlV6zG8dGamrpIV0qL_nHbS6as5OAzstz1rMX4evxrz5v9ZcCy1mpv2B5QZ4Sux8cM4J1vY2ZKYX93-CtnNs0V6arOUQwWiJZhg_KxrUqy8hxM/s1600/IMG_3877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_38jvx9l9Gjd8xwEq03ZUy3d-C0cNnwKlV6zG8dGamrpIV0qL_nHbS6as5OAzstz1rMX4evxrz5v9ZcCy1mpv2B5QZ4Sux8cM4J1vY2ZKYX93-CtnNs0V6arOUQwWiJZhg_KxrUqy8hxM/s400/IMG_3877.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Linda and Richard live not far from my place. . . they are amazing gardeners with a kiwi backyard full of raised vege gardens, fruit trees and now their first TB hive !! Both these lovely people did my bee keeping class acouple of terms ago, going from learning to actually catching a swarm and hiving it - it just fills my heart with joy when this happens ... I know I am spreading my enthusiasm and love for these important little insects . <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc-HU1FEfpsHYvw0XnWM-sRfDRzyqvoyNQ5pchOicmRhXOWJ3-Ab98ecc1Iv0UN_chftTD5axZ_nCszGEyFM4leiT8x3JjBZFvkAXkZ07DkW-AmvUDoolVacQPd5YulELijGUAPNBJXGV/s1600/IMG_3868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc-HU1FEfpsHYvw0XnWM-sRfDRzyqvoyNQ5pchOicmRhXOWJ3-Ab98ecc1Iv0UN_chftTD5axZ_nCszGEyFM4leiT8x3JjBZFvkAXkZ07DkW-AmvUDoolVacQPd5YulELijGUAPNBJXGV/s400/IMG_3868.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The hive was made by a neighbor who had kept bees in a lang hive and was intrigued by these new-fangled boxes! Apart from being one of the best ways for humans to keep bees, the TB hive always looks so good in your garden - nestled among the fruit trees, surrounded with borage, comphrey, flowers and veges, this hive is beauty to the eyes !<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAn1RN34FjPx2830MNwzSt0O-Ylx9a3g9Bjub79ytGzAWfsSUZrbSSPDy64aBjRG4T4w43jait2PkTFgwDemdxx_5fAKrGjIRz70ESSFK2KpPP5DQhy7_TnxrGSK8PHv44hpAerhBQ0eV/s1600/IMG_3871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAn1RN34FjPx2830MNwzSt0O-Ylx9a3g9Bjub79ytGzAWfsSUZrbSSPDy64aBjRG4T4w43jait2PkTFgwDemdxx_5fAKrGjIRz70ESSFK2KpPP5DQhy7_TnxrGSK8PHv44hpAerhBQ0eV/s400/IMG_3871.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The bees have already made about 5 combs and started filling them with nectar and pollen. Once again, it was windy so we didn`t delve to far into the nest. I always have visions of this hard earn`t warmth and pheromones all disappearing up in the air and the brood getting cold ! There were alot of bees, so hopefully there is a laying queen doing her thing in there. We will check for her on the next warm, windless day - hard to come by in the Waikato this year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjqbRLtlBVhyphenhyphenx7f1VyUYi2SISagAUwkWSgxGmjNK2GE1rrIR6thKoq5Inp1Rmz_jhWOPfux4aWaUZHSUI5It0VczLAkqDCUIIsjcSxc8wDLEeOGLgSLUoWSe3OK3f4ObbImnfAPTFwPfK/s1600/IMG_3872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjqbRLtlBVhyphenhyphenx7f1VyUYi2SISagAUwkWSgxGmjNK2GE1rrIR6thKoq5Inp1Rmz_jhWOPfux4aWaUZHSUI5It0VczLAkqDCUIIsjcSxc8wDLEeOGLgSLUoWSe3OK3f4ObbImnfAPTFwPfK/s400/IMG_3872.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>These bees have only been in the hive for acouple of weeks, it always amazes me at how fast a swarm can build a new nest from nothing to completed comb in less then a week. A truly wonderful feat. .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLtC-ibI8KML5L-QpoFG20HW0Ub4LSdIuViCXMcHAcfDIoWF08-X_7epnVhJbMDDFVcsMlXhgYmmW5VC0SJtJyajDi1bnLoxjJd2h3KExv0HJaSQwhAyIu7SZ1gC8XxtmoWH__V-dZR30/s1600/IMG_3878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLtC-ibI8KML5L-QpoFG20HW0Ub4LSdIuViCXMcHAcfDIoWF08-X_7epnVhJbMDDFVcsMlXhgYmmW5VC0SJtJyajDi1bnLoxjJd2h3KExv0HJaSQwhAyIu7SZ1gC8XxtmoWH__V-dZR30/s400/IMG_3878.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Shimmering borage, covered in bees and bumblebees all day long - pollinating insects love this herb with its pretty intense blue flowers. Only afew open at a time, with new ones happening as the older flowers drop. I know it can get out of hand, but easy enough to contain or weed out the seedlings and give to your friends !Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-15661474768894490912011-11-30T23:08:00.000-08:002011-11-30T23:21:52.937-08:00Joyous Swarm ..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMQQqti-OJeLgNAuRbCoAJ9ibWmXH_O3SncV8dYqKxUVV6YjT4KgR_xBDwXUjKKxq6JdZ-wkqmyIq9w1g3N97ML_3Wbbi45o_GbIenPXuPkF2ouu1n05oEgHIUD_MZUgW8Edfn-egzLcZ/s1600/swarm+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMQQqti-OJeLgNAuRbCoAJ9ibWmXH_O3SncV8dYqKxUVV6YjT4KgR_xBDwXUjKKxq6JdZ-wkqmyIq9w1g3N97ML_3Wbbi45o_GbIenPXuPkF2ouu1n05oEgHIUD_MZUgW8Edfn-egzLcZ/s400/swarm+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Last weekend friends caught this swirling mass of bees that had just left their TopBar hive afew minutes before. Swarming is a most natural part of honey bees life cycle - it usually means the hive they have left is healthy and strong - its time to leave and make a new home - something they have done for millions of years. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoj6rLKepLgaU0kqjHTOjCyUcuvOjQfPVKQFAEhmKnS0mvgM3lib5Fvgydpv0UMVKNHx-m5PfSjcuuM5vPID6J8DiUvnWZfTk0UPzexr7j4dMoRYVycZlPrRJS4HNGMtQhDgd6mwSOeIA/s1600/swarm+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoj6rLKepLgaU0kqjHTOjCyUcuvOjQfPVKQFAEhmKnS0mvgM3lib5Fvgydpv0UMVKNHx-m5PfSjcuuM5vPID6J8DiUvnWZfTk0UPzexr7j4dMoRYVycZlPrRJS4HNGMtQhDgd6mwSOeIA/s400/swarm+2.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>The bees very conveniently settled around the trunk of a small nashi tree in the orchard - right at chest height ! As the trunk was the main leader of the tree, nothing could be cut, the bees were shaken into the box, with all the stragglers nicely tucked away 2 hrs later ! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdao67_838JAgU02gDqThrgEBxStvLum4TqxE0yFt8VO1InrOXLDQsWlrLoHbVjcRdtMtFueTIwUpObDPyUaCVNLermBQK8feRJFFKVvqnFua1MRsHCdR7m4bHbLpxNfTQhMSoSqoF2OZq/s1600/swarm+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdao67_838JAgU02gDqThrgEBxStvLum4TqxE0yFt8VO1InrOXLDQsWlrLoHbVjcRdtMtFueTIwUpObDPyUaCVNLermBQK8feRJFFKVvqnFua1MRsHCdR7m4bHbLpxNfTQhMSoSqoF2OZq/s400/swarm+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Swarm in a box ! By the time I got there the bees were mostly clustered under the lid - they were very well behaved, I taped the box up, popped it in the back of my car and drove to the new hive.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnQAXZXwdVm17ReLB3uKVdBUYXh8CtwN0tZZigyTCyWhQ1FGOTePxdx9JpEVMZCF-58d4Q9k_fAZ463p86yIg4HeXS3SNudzSa3QpCb-dkv0-DXw2yzFaLxvSjomSwfvw_tx5NfGHobbS/s1600/IMG_3853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnQAXZXwdVm17ReLB3uKVdBUYXh8CtwN0tZZigyTCyWhQ1FGOTePxdx9JpEVMZCF-58d4Q9k_fAZ463p86yIg4HeXS3SNudzSa3QpCb-dkv0-DXw2yzFaLxvSjomSwfvw_tx5NfGHobbS/s400/IMG_3853.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Happy little girls in their new green home ! These bees now reside beside the Waikato river in the center of the city with lots of gardens and trees to choose their food from. The family is totally excited. .Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-34023170845492777722011-11-22T23:11:00.000-08:002011-11-22T23:11:13.185-08:00Another Sucessful TopBar Workshop in Taranaki . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdix-WPiNtwfdjfunx9cVmFOC0x6eIxIJllMvpyFzFRz7JejC_FglZmyV9JiBVqmxK3xu3SFybZ7LDGL2ruw1zSZuao5qZ9WpQuDnVFmStc_0ogDwskM46-otJGiWayDFcty3IbQnWsa4x/s1600/IMG_3741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdix-WPiNtwfdjfunx9cVmFOC0x6eIxIJllMvpyFzFRz7JejC_FglZmyV9JiBVqmxK3xu3SFybZ7LDGL2ruw1zSZuao5qZ9WpQuDnVFmStc_0ogDwskM46-otJGiWayDFcty3IbQnWsa4x/s400/IMG_3741.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>What a great day was had by all in the lovely little seaside town of Urenui, just north of New Plymouth last Sat. After most of the day held at a country school, we all went up to Maria`s beautiful B and B to open her new hive - we didn`t mind that it is a lang ! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3N26FhPcNbktL0zmnSYGNhD1P76JdH00_cp5S2qJMB5SKfi9nQZ9k-X20G7M3GX4bk4P3UQnKXt_DtF8w8xJTX-tjqlwXHWjDbdrhPst-a64m9HzXLZrgDFIfv8E6G_hSsqKUyJIvYF2/s1600/IMG_3760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3N26FhPcNbktL0zmnSYGNhD1P76JdH00_cp5S2qJMB5SKfi9nQZ9k-X20G7M3GX4bk4P3UQnKXt_DtF8w8xJTX-tjqlwXHWjDbdrhPst-a64m9HzXLZrgDFIfv8E6G_hSsqKUyJIvYF2/s400/IMG_3760.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Afew brave folk came up close and had a really close look ! The bees were very quiet and well behaved, it was windy as well, so I didn`t go down into the bottom box as I didn`t want to chill the brood. It was a great opportunity for the 16 participants to get up close and personal with bees, drones were seen, the only lady with a full bee suit was able to take all the pics for me ! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJTM8i9H3YRc6dqMUkEUzx3aUkQvmshGO0Y3KAjhyhCFGjFWArZGCU3S06oLcEeIYQzUev94zXxCzsdThQAUDrJZcGK42V3ZZG_Dur663pKVJLVsTkiVmVBuvIRZvBGXoB8VQX7u__T8E/s1600/IMG_3767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJTM8i9H3YRc6dqMUkEUzx3aUkQvmshGO0Y3KAjhyhCFGjFWArZGCU3S06oLcEeIYQzUev94zXxCzsdThQAUDrJZcGK42V3ZZG_Dur663pKVJLVsTkiVmVBuvIRZvBGXoB8VQX7u__T8E/s400/IMG_3767.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>There was quite alot of nectar, some capped, but not alot of pollen - interesting as I don`t see alot being brought in by my bees - I think our season is slower this year, we have had alot of rain and wind - bees hate both ! <br />
My workshops have all been so successful, each one all over the country, have lifted my heart with much joy. I have met wonderful kindred spirits, developed friendships that will last forever and best of all . . . spread my passion about beekeeping . . keeping bees in a natural, sustainable way.. for the beezz.Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-14044909919124629342011-11-21T23:24:00.000-08:002011-11-21T23:24:12.459-08:00Superb Bee Food . . ( sorry Dad)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio03m8qbI1U6LeZcqVABPWx3YJoPLHUSEFsfZR5CZDCu6_s7JsRKUT7iIRxg9q-LW1qf04H_lTNl_3ym-GY4xhq7A5mC_jGcTzSHEk3U3QtEQvA5o_c8zLa4_R6cvxNswT-4eP77ULLiwz/s1600/gorse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio03m8qbI1U6LeZcqVABPWx3YJoPLHUSEFsfZR5CZDCu6_s7JsRKUT7iIRxg9q-LW1qf04H_lTNl_3ym-GY4xhq7A5mC_jGcTzSHEk3U3QtEQvA5o_c8zLa4_R6cvxNswT-4eP77ULLiwz/s400/gorse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Gorse, <i>Ulex europaeus, </i>also known as Furze, is flowering heavily all over NZ at the moment - bright yellow, strongly scented, covered in lethal thorns, this very hardy shrubby bush is considered a weed here. Brought to Aotearoa (NZ) by European settlers in the early 1800`s, used as hedging mainly and spreading rapidly through the country, gorse has established itself anywhere it could - whole hillsides glow with yellow over spring and summer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vPag9dZyhZunrCWd27-oj9gW3KRsdknJtX65Hs7YdV7nJ4EM-4Bzf0R7SdbwKF42aAFRY3lnFwSCXFZmbJjel1ZxDsff5HcYabRgYyKpQeu_h-YAIxxI_Fqggsklncfz2vRI4DjPoqMo/s1600/gorse1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vPag9dZyhZunrCWd27-oj9gW3KRsdknJtX65Hs7YdV7nJ4EM-4Bzf0R7SdbwKF42aAFRY3lnFwSCXFZmbJjel1ZxDsff5HcYabRgYyKpQeu_h-YAIxxI_Fqggsklncfz2vRI4DjPoqMo/s400/gorse1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>With bright yellow flowers containing plenty of rich nectar and pollen, gorse is a vital bee food in early spring - in fact, it is an excellent food supply for many pollinating insects.<br />
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Gorse is often used as a nurse plant for more fragile trees that need to be protected from frost, wind and sun - the tree or plant grows and eventually shades out the gorse.<br />
Not a popular plant here, gorse, if left to bloom can provide our bees with much needed sustenance, something I would like to see encouraged, even if it was left to grow in an unused area and kept contained some how. I know the birds spread the seeds, but it could be the food your bees need to survive !Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-45695109046739502742011-11-17T00:16:00.000-08:002011-11-17T00:16:02.759-08:00Cabbage Tree Feast . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2ZYY-DOKbew8zFeSAl4b5UTAmwRiKpMDNOAtTbo2dPp5pThdQd2B4umvhqp-ZuXSWkVgU9yDz5XDVDYpfOC_4ol3QML2Kr_6-8UWG0u-HngfFUY8EjbMJ1fjRj7pfuLtcJ4zI5ocWsix/s1600/IMG_3671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2ZYY-DOKbew8zFeSAl4b5UTAmwRiKpMDNOAtTbo2dPp5pThdQd2B4umvhqp-ZuXSWkVgU9yDz5XDVDYpfOC_4ol3QML2Kr_6-8UWG0u-HngfFUY8EjbMJ1fjRj7pfuLtcJ4zI5ocWsix/s400/IMG_3671.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>One of New Zealands` iconic plants. . . Ti Kouka or Cabbage tree, <i>Cordyline australis</i> - not a woody plant but a tree lillie, grows everywhere, a number of species, including a mountain variety. Doesn`t mind wet feet, springs up again from a fallen trunk - many more wonderful qualities <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6H0QAy6NHxSlyplt1VddKx8xlG8gQjm6nOUifTrkufBrDxb4nK9r44KZLZMaQbRqsP28H_DI6s9Kip_rHGXODbEG1EGaav6AeFF99T_aTQHtlp5IhyphenhyphenSdv3ekYxe00kbedwBY5EkKJKJM/s1600/IMG_3665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6H0QAy6NHxSlyplt1VddKx8xlG8gQjm6nOUifTrkufBrDxb4nK9r44KZLZMaQbRqsP28H_DI6s9Kip_rHGXODbEG1EGaav6AeFF99T_aTQHtlp5IhyphenhyphenSdv3ekYxe00kbedwBY5EkKJKJM/s400/IMG_3665.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cabbage trees are flowering at the moment here in Aotearoa - the land of the long white cloud. Bees love these highly scented, pure white flowers - me to, the smell evokes so many memories of my childhood growing up, surrounded by native bush. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9lJ7GMmyHP6GcjoAZqlF986BqXGSkiZDC3uOl7-p_EjSiBz-idzA6WPOSVxq8l3xA48XZ-E_K_1FivMq_RJ_gE7RYe1Jn-gGcK6d5XXssNpOZEmIn5_fW6SM55pQtBCZsMDe78LSkRXY/s1600/IMG_3668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9lJ7GMmyHP6GcjoAZqlF986BqXGSkiZDC3uOl7-p_EjSiBz-idzA6WPOSVxq8l3xA48XZ-E_K_1FivMq_RJ_gE7RYe1Jn-gGcK6d5XXssNpOZEmIn5_fW6SM55pQtBCZsMDe78LSkRXY/s400/IMG_3668.JPG" width="400" />.</a></div><br />
The large flower head is made up of many tiny white flowers with 3 sepals and 3 petals or tepals, 6 stamens radiate above the tepals, each tipped by a yellow pollen sac that releases its pollen for just one day. The ovary in the centre is lined with glands that produce powerful nectar - bees love this plant, the nectar making a light honey that is used to feed their larvae in spring and early summer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23OczkqJey-ZN3H_JRNbZ0D8t4rUby3SLwMPMhQ91v2FOKQcMxBm9wdxxTj4fJGzh09dt5YoAZ8cxdARrs2tRBI1BUgw0DN9TxlEaP6TDZw_Lkjvn-6VJt-EGL8SBerxa5Rp4v5NKupqL/s1600/IMG_3669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23OczkqJey-ZN3H_JRNbZ0D8t4rUby3SLwMPMhQ91v2FOKQcMxBm9wdxxTj4fJGzh09dt5YoAZ8cxdARrs2tRBI1BUgw0DN9TxlEaP6TDZw_Lkjvn-6VJt-EGL8SBerxa5Rp4v5NKupqL/s400/IMG_3669.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>The flower buds open up gradually from the top of each flower spike. Cabbage trees tend to flower prolifically every 2nd to 3rd year, with some of the older plants covered in flowers this year. A large flower head will produce up to ten thousand fruits containing at least thirty to forty thousand seeds, birds enjoy these seeds over summer and autumn. <br />
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One of my favorite NZ plants with its long, green sword-like leaves, the bane of childhood lawn-mowers, the rattling sound on windy days and beautiful swaying in the breeze .. Check out the book `Dancing Leaves` by Philip Simpson, a wonderful history of Ti Kouka.Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339270912204430582.post-43179633289508795512011-11-11T22:11:00.000-08:002011-11-11T22:11:20.764-08:00Eco Bees..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KHhERta5TGmSYJQ2E1DoAp63qANBFk74mfKW_DLpxGz5QPPXDQmeP9B8o9V6ry_D8poRrSOsUNkjJH8Rd4QnyJkMMrvssoU2_WXe90HsjtEGvrwfn3GL3GpQm8OlHCPYtmm1ZuzLjQ3r/s1600/IMG_3679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KHhERta5TGmSYJQ2E1DoAp63qANBFk74mfKW_DLpxGz5QPPXDQmeP9B8o9V6ry_D8poRrSOsUNkjJH8Rd4QnyJkMMrvssoU2_WXe90HsjtEGvrwfn3GL3GpQm8OlHCPYtmm1ZuzLjQ3r/s400/IMG_3679.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>My friend`s wonderful eco house and garden has recently acquired their first TB hive of honey bees ! The house is the only one of its kind here in the city I live in, it is not on the sewerage system, she has a flush loo that is connected to a worm farm then filters thru a reed bed onto her garden, huge black walls that are solar, she uses very little electricity probably going off the grid soon, has an enormous 26,000 litre underground tank that collects all the rainwater off both roofs, is pumped up to a header tank and filtered before use - the garden is left to selfseed, vege plants pop up everywhere, small orchard and a gully that she is developing - all self suffcient, Composting, with the large container full of worms within easy reach of the kitchen window - just has to reach outside ! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKKGN1PNiQaZLRLjY8V8jdeghDtznx0726sxV3nD3rsNI3ABldgTvwdtVBHsaD8RKLCJ4WJRnzGaFFAPw6jf2KOZ_nwOs9mwVeqoxvMVRS2RhUvDiL-4HERP9lj6ZYisTGM0UZPzdsPYV/s1600/IMG_3681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKKGN1PNiQaZLRLjY8V8jdeghDtznx0726sxV3nD3rsNI3ABldgTvwdtVBHsaD8RKLCJ4WJRnzGaFFAPw6jf2KOZ_nwOs9mwVeqoxvMVRS2RhUvDiL-4HERP9lj6ZYisTGM0UZPzdsPYV/s400/IMG_3681.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>H`s new TopBar hive hurriedly brought after catching her first swarm on a walk a week or so ago! After the swarm flew over the top of her, she decided this was `her` swarm and after a one day workshop with me afew weeks before, this brave woman decided well, how hard can it be, Marcia said it was quite simple - 17 stings later, the swarm was shaken into a box and transported carefully, in the back of the truck, home. Then, what to hive them in ?? Luckily, friends still had the new TB hive we had used to show people and they very kindly allowed H to buy it and house her bees !!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-4ynUGYlckD2-EHHB3lFOfjagYTQiHGZmVLX3cyPS7eAWetdFEOzcoEcLHuQMdLtEiZf2OKEw4004Q6ooIBqHp1MPj2iCakHn1oB4__Ee4WubqGmxgltNqnvrzuCeADxTMWMKXya3_bT/s1600/IMG_3682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-4ynUGYlckD2-EHHB3lFOfjagYTQiHGZmVLX3cyPS7eAWetdFEOzcoEcLHuQMdLtEiZf2OKEw4004Q6ooIBqHp1MPj2iCakHn1oB4__Ee4WubqGmxgltNqnvrzuCeADxTMWMKXya3_bT/s400/IMG_3682.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> I went around this morning to make sure all was well, the bees are loving their new home, very happily settled and busily making beautiful comb on 4 bars. I will go back in a day or so and check for eggs and larve, it was getting abit windy this morning and I don`t like having the hive open in cooler temps. H is deliriously happy about her new bees, so am I, they couldn`t have found a better home !<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllFmQjCAYHgP47YMHSP0b6uLUXbqfwAoHnPFX8jk7dvfmfpw4_zLGcJJOk20YEKidf_VNFMDDihRKhgJvOCGy8GAiRdmjD_fm4eR06ShkcMelXETPPO9nwMzVmWmDNiv5VFMoxu0_lkCR/s1600/IMG_3691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllFmQjCAYHgP47YMHSP0b6uLUXbqfwAoHnPFX8jk7dvfmfpw4_zLGcJJOk20YEKidf_VNFMDDihRKhgJvOCGy8GAiRdmjD_fm4eR06ShkcMelXETPPO9nwMzVmWmDNiv5VFMoxu0_lkCR/s400/IMG_3691.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> This garden has everything I really love . . . biodiversity, lots of insects, healthy plants and now the best little pollinators in the world !<br />
Meeting H and other like-minded people, has been a fantastic part of my teaching TB hive and natural beekeeping - it never ceases to amaze me that there are many others out there that think like I do !! I have always been lead to believe that the way I thought about life in general was typical hippy and alternative - I now don`t give a rat`s bottom about all those sad people, I know what I believe is right for me and our planet !!Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06621344084932510113noreply@blogger.com3