Ben's Bee Blog; Optimism breathes Encouragement.

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Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland

Monday, June 20, 2011

Hidden Treasures

We have flowers at our house.  I mean not just a couple of marigolds; No, we have flowers of all kinds and all colors in all seasons.  We have beautiful flowers.  Flowers that just amaze me when I look at them.  Yet, rarely do I find bees on our flowers.  I do see them, I do, but not as much as you would think.  I mean we have so many beautiful flowers that are so close to the bees.
One day I was walking through our yard and all of the sudden I heard the sound.  Alarms went off in my head, oh yeah, I know that sound.  That's the sound of a bee swarm - Quick, Where are they?  Are they coming for me again?  I looked up and I mean holy Mackerel there were what seemed like 1000s of bees in these trees.  But these trees did not have any flowers - or did they?  I was confused but I got out of there because there were a ton of bees around.  Later, I plucked the flower to inspect what could possible draw so many bees.  It didn't look attractive, cool, or even remotely beautiful.  Yet, the bees found it magnificent and far superior to anything else we have.  How could this bee?  What makes the bees choose this flower out of all the flowers?  Why?  Why is it so special?  Go ahead and take a look for yourself - we have pink cone flower, cannons, hibiscus, marigolds, geraniums, and many more.

I bet you didn't even notice the little green one in the middle.
That's the one they love.

I suppose this supports the old saying, It's not what is on the outside but what's on the inside.  Also, remember to take time to notice the little hidden treasures of life that we so carelessly glance over not knowing the power and beauty it beholds.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Epic Newsflash!

It is my great pleasure to inform you all that Ben's Beehive is thriving and will be expanding into a 2 story( us beekeepers call it a 2 deep) house.  That's right folks, I need more room as Queen Ortensia has surely been a busy bee producing tons(literally) of new bees!  Pictures to come.

For now there is a lot of buzz around the family so to say - we have added some beekeepers.  My brother now has a beehive(with bees in it - in fact we opened it up and found the Queen).  Soon you will call us the "honey brothers."  LOL

Also, my father has got the bug too and purchased a beehive(with no bees in it).  His plan is to have me suit up in my beesuit, blindside a natural beehive, and then procede to put the bees in his hive.  Needless to stay this will be an epic story.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Bee Pix

No stingers in my face today :)
The first picture you will see my bees outside the beehive just huddled up because its cooler outside than inside.  It has been really hot here in Arkansas lately.  
The second pictures shows a top view and you can see the I have a full hive of bees.  I am not exactly sure how many I have but I have a few tons of bees for sure. 
***Expansion is on the horizon***