A Visit with the Bees

My first serious (and scholarly) glimpse into the importance of bees arrived in the form of a most fascinating lecture by Apiculture Specialist Paul van Westerndorp entitled, "What is Killing Our Bees?" It was back in late April of this year in the warm UBC Botanical Reception Centre where I would find myself taking notes on colony collapse disorder, Israel acute paralysis virus, Nosema apis, Kashmir bee virus, and an host of other diseases relating to the peril of our beloved winged friend. Unfortunately for me, the dual effect of this lecture having landed a few days after EYA's deadline for the Beekeeping Apprenticeship Program, and my own indecisiveness meant that I had little to no chance of even applying for said program.

So, how could I resist the wonderful opportunity to visit the bee keeping apprentices at the Means of Production garden this Saturday? Conditions were perfect for examining the hive: in the calm sunshine during the late-morning, bees busying themselves with foraging are typically more even-tempered, I learned.

Alex lifting the top cover of the hive /

Ariella using the smoker to calm the bees.

Every Saturday, the apprentices examine each of the frames contained within the hive, conscientiously recording data such as overall bee population, brood patterns, and any abnormalities pertaining to disease, (varroa) mites, and swarm cells. Regularly inspecting the hive is also necessary in monitoring the ongoing health of the elusive queen bee; since she is often difficult to identify, the apprentices must look for evidence of her presence in the hive: eggs.

Master Beekeeper Brian Campbell and the apprentices examine a frame.

Close up!

After using the hive tool to separate the frames from each other,
the apprentice gently pulls up the frame.

Check out the brood pattern!

John and Bryan have a closer look.

Although the queen wasn't identified during the day's inspection, traces of her activity (eggs) could be seen and the group concluded that theirs was a fairly content and healthy hive. A big thank you to Brian, Ariella, Bryan, Alex, and John for allowing me to observe and snap away. Oh, if only I'd applied for the apprenticeship! Next year, next year.

Watch out for more news about the bee keeping apprenticeship in the EYA newsletter coming out later this month! To subscribe to the newsletter, please email samantha@eya.ca.

Bzz.

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The ‘Community Hive’ is a collaborative effort between the Environmental Youth Alliance (EYA), the Means of Production Artist Raw Resources Collective (MOPARRC), and Master Beekeeper Brian Campbell. The ‘Community Hive’ seeks to mentor and support youth in the apiculture industry and to engage Vancouver residents in the importance of the issues facing bees across North America.