After the rough winter of 2014-15, we weren’t surprised to learn that we lost one of our hives. And also, while we were in Minnesota, several neighbors reported that we’d had a swarm from the remaining one. With one hive lost and the other weakened, we were not heading into 2015 with a strong apiary. We decided to bring in reinforcements.
We found a beekeeper in Orange County who was making nucs — or splitting his hives. He could sell us two nuc boxes, one of which we used to help a friend who wanted to start beekeeping.
So, Saturday morning, upstate we head, in search of discount clothing at the Woodbury Outlets — and bees. We found success at both.
Here, the beekeeper — Kris, short for Kristof — is opening the nuc box to show Greg that there is a queen.
Ah ha! There she is!
Kris lives with his wife on a nice piece of property outside Middletown, right along the reservoir.
Sam peeks over the day lilies toward the bee yard.
Yay bees!
Out of his 18 hives, Kris lost only 4 this year. A good sign, we figured, because his queens are now northern, born and bred in New York, so can withstand winters better. That’s our thinking, anyway.
Kris also used to keep chickens. Not anymore, though.
Back in the car, bees on the floor.
Really. Two boxes of bees in the back of the Camry!
Thanks Kris!
