Bee on the Wing in Blue Rosemary.
Last week began with the discovery of a new obsession–photographing bees on the wing with a macro lens. The super-narrow depth-of-field of the lens made it difficult to catch a bee in focus, but in this image she is moving too fast for my shutter speed. Still, after 75 shots, I think this one is a keeper.
Then it was off to pick up package bees on Friday morning. The second and third week of April should be considered a national holiday, as every beekeeper in the King and Snohomish counties of Washington seemed to be as eager as Rachael and me to pick up their bees. Our unintentionally extended adventure turned into a beautiful day together.
Rachael Poses with 4 lb. Packages of Bees.
The next morning I was up early and on my way to Onalaska, WA, to pick up Carniolans from Jason and Heather Sherwood. A lot of people ask me where Onalaska is, and all I can say is it’s rural, southwestern Washington. I was there at 7:30 and back on the road by 8:30.
Package Bees Awaiting Pick-up at the Sherwood Apiary.
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday night were dedicated to the introduction of package bees. We welcome back colonies to the Central District and Capital Hill in Seattle, as well as Smoke Farm.
Throughout the weekend, just when I thought I might take a break and have lunch, my phone would ring. Hives were swarming! Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, as well as last night (Thursday 4/22), were filled with swarm catching. Michael watched one form from his window on Saturday, and together we caught it without any protective gear. Kelle helped me catch the swarm on their Blue House and temporarily introduce them to a nuc (a small, five-frame hive for rearing queens and keeping a small swarm). But the swarm story to be told comes from West Seattle, where Rachael and I found a monster-sized swarm:
The Longfellow Creek Community Garden Swarm.
The call came in on Friday from Jayne. Jayne Simmons, co-founder of Good Food Gardens, plants lavish healthy gardens in your yard, maintains the Longfellow Creek Community Garden, and makes salves, tinctures and infused oils as Sister Sage Herbs. She and I had spoken earlier in the year about introducing bees to the Longfellow garden and even teaming up to introduce bees to her garden projects, but I just didn’t have the money to prepare the equipment and purchase bees. The bees, however, had other intentions and came to her.
I asked Rachael if she would like the honor of catching this swarm, introducing it to a hive, and maintaining it at the Longfellow Garden. Since my Valentine’s Day post, a lot of people have been wondering if I have introduced Rachael to the bees and if they approve of her. Well, this was the weekend, and the answer is decidedly yes!
Rachael, aka Lady Awesome, Catches Swarm!
Later that evening, Rachael and Jayne introduced the swarm to a beautifully exposed corner of the Longfellow Garden. This week ends with three new Women of the Swarm, Kelle, Jayne, and Lady Awesome!
“First of all he said to himself: ‘That buzzing-noise means something. You don’t get a buzzing-noise like that, just buzzing and buzzing, without its meaning something. If there’s a buzzing-noise, somebody’s making a buzzing-noise, and the only reason for making a buzzing-noise that I know of is because you’re a bee.’”
20th century bee philosopher, Winnie-the-Pooh
This reminds me of the 4th swarm I saw. Usually I look for the bees flying around, as they usually make concentric circles around the swarm while they search for a new home. This one, on 58th and 20th NE offa Ravenna, wasn’t flying around because of the weather. So walking by them, I heard them first. It was a very cool way to find a swarm.
Wow! You did catch a big one! I just moved mine and it felt like a regular colony in weight! I love swarm season! I get a lot of swarms from the 911 center. You might consider getting on their list (my local center had no one before I called them). They were delighted to have someone to call to handle swarms appropriately…just a thought
Great idea! The only problem is the hours of building new boxes and frames. I just spent the past two days building four new complete hives: three deep supers each and a lid and bottom board. I have enough frames to expand them from the nucs they are in, but it’s going to be at least another day building enough frames for the season. And then, where do you put them? I just received word that Woman of the Swarm Jayne is willing to let me nurture these swarms in her garden, but they will need some good homes soon. Seattle lets you have 3 hives and 1 swarm in your yard. I don’t know how they determine that.
[...] A view from the Longfellow Swarm’s Hive in West Seattle. [...]
[...] than name or dedicate a hive, this year I want the bees to teach me who they are. The colony at Michael and Kelle’s house that swarmed twice this spring left a whole box of pollen and honey-full frames. I get the [...]