After a couple of months of yo-yoing odd weather, when summer seemed to be here once again, it’s nearly November and Autumn seems to be properly here now. Crisp, cold days and falling leaves are upon us.
Everyone was at the National Honey Show today, so I had the apiary’s autumn gloom all to myself. Yellow leaves dropped softly down as I walked amongst the hives. The bees were subdued too, just a few coming back home now and again with some pale yellow pollen.
Drew has very kindly given me one of the new iphones, which do videos! Here’s one of our little bees with some of that yellow pollen. Expect to see many, many more badly shot videos on this blog.
Another great thing about the new iphones is you can take pictures of yourself. Here is one of me looking ridiculous in my bee veil. I like this one in winter when I’m not doing much interfering with the hives, as it is not attached to a suit but just pops over my head. I find this enough protection for simple tasks such as topping up syrup. It just protects me from any bees who might innocently land on my head and get stuck in my hair.
Me grinning like a nutter
Not much to do now in the coming months except hope and check on the hives every so often to make sure they haven’t been vandalised or attacked by woodpeckers. Fondant for extra feed and oxalic acid for varroa treatment in December. Bye bye bees, I will miss you.
Adventuresinbeeland's Blog 
You’re so cute!
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I can’t agree, but thanks!
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I just wrote my goodbye to the bees for the winter as well. Who would ever have thought there’d ever be that kind of attachment?!?
Love the video. I want to paint my kitchen the color of that pollen!
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Considering they can’t talk or cuddle up to you, it’s quite amazing how attached we get to them. All the beekeepers I know feel that bond.
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Emily, I am glad you popped in because I could not for the life of me remember your blog’s name. Now I have it in my sidebar for future reference. I see you have Valerie’s bees in a post, and as an artist, I have admired her work. I draw a lot, but usually much bigger subjects. I did not know if you know of Clare from Curbstone Valley Farm. She is very knowledgeable on raising and caring for bees, and thought you might like to pop in on her California bees. Here is her link. http://curbstonevalley.com/blog/
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Thanks! I am really enjoying your photos. I hadn’t come across Clare’s blog before, but having read a bit I’m hooked and have signed up for e-mail updates. Thanks very much!
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That is the most beautiful 8 seconds of video I have ever seen! Look at her – she’s covered in pollen! So incredible. Oh, how I miss my bees too. I don’t know how I’ll last the winter. I’ve taken to listening to their hummmm through the hive wall morning & night. At least I can feel them that way & know they are in there being lovely. Cheers.
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He he thanks! They’ll need all that lovely pollen come the spring when queen Rosemary starts laying again. I totally know what you mean about missing the bees. Love that you listen to them humming!
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