the honeybees arrive
May 4, 2009 The first weekend of beekeeping started with me picking up my bees across the city, and trying to act all cool and nonchalant as the president of our beekeepers’ association handed me a package of about 8,000 bees. And when I say package, I mean package. It’s a simple wooden box with two sides made out of screen, so there’s nothing really to do but grab the box and head for the car as someone yells after me, Hey, you’re a beekeeper now!, and I feel silently proud and thrilled and brave as I march off, just me and the bees.
What I didn’t realize was there would be about fifty or so bees loose on the outside of the package. I put them in the back of our (very small) car, and kept checking the rearview mirror the whole way home. I think I actually talked to them on the way home like they were a troop of Girl Scouts. You guys okay back there? Do you have everything you need?
A generous friend loaned us a corner of her yard, and it was a kind of religious experience, donning the jacket and veil and ushering the bees through her garage and out to the yard. There’s nothing really elegant about the process. Or at least the way I did it. Installing bees feels like pouring a lot of cereal into a huge box. Only instead of Cheerios, you’re pouring thousands of humming and flyaway bees into what I hope will be their happy and productive new home.
Between carrying a smoker, the hive boxes, the thousands of bees, and emotions that lurched wildly between anxiety and amazement, I didn’t bring a camera. But I’m kind of glad. Some things are better imagined and remembered.
Reader Comments (10)
What a brave woman. I'm quite sure I would have run my car into a ditch trying to supervise passengers of that sort.
Just when I think you can't get any cooler. Seriously. Can't wait for some O'Wilkinson honey... xo
the bees in the car made me feel the hair rise on my neck, but that was assuaged by how you talked them home. i am truly impressed, lady beekeeper. cannot wait to hear progress.
Aren't bees so amazing? Do you find yourself wandering over to the hive whenever possible and watching the bees bring pollen into the hive. We opened ours for the first time last week and I felt like I was on a first date. My heart was thumping and I was so excited. I'm so happy you got bees! We should swap honey this fall and compare how our urban honeys taste!
How exciting…and extremely inspirational!
very cool, thanks
I've been reading your entry on bees, very cool! There is another girl on the Beehive that just got bees! Here is her blog:
http://belleocchio.squarespace.com/
Look under, "Daybook".
I gave her your blog as well! So interesting!
Kieran
Bees! So many wonderful things they do for us, and so fascinating. I can't wait to read how your adventure with them continues.
Hi there,
I am so enjoying your blog. Just wanted to write you a note and let you know.
good for you! i really want to keep bees so i'm doing lots of research. hopefully it doesn't have to wait till i own property of my own. let us know how things are coming!