honey

pollinators: death to drones by kelly heaton

As cold weather approaches, the worker bees (female) expel the drones (male) in preparation for winter.  Drones can be identified by their larger eyes that meet in the center, as well as their larger black abdomen.  The smaller, active bees are the females working to remove the dead.  Bees in this role are known as "undertakers" for the hive.  Nearly all of the bees in this video are dead or dying drones on the ground in front of their once nurturing hive.  In another month or two, the remaining worker bees will form a tight cluster around the queen, vibrating their wings to keep the colony warm (a remarkable 94 - 98 degrees F in the center); and rationing their honey supply until Spring.  

This video also shows signs of hygienic behavior - notice the drone larvae which appear affected by Varroa mites.  I am doing a mite count to see if I need to treat this hive.
September 2014 / Clarke County, Virginia

pollinators: (wo)manmade habitat by kelly heaton

Kelly Heaton, images from work in progress, 2014.  Fabric, wire, paint & other sculptural media

pollinators: 1st look into my new hives by kelly heaton

Beehive 1 of 2, started from a nuc of locally raised bees in Spring of 2014. Video was shot in early June 2014 (through the smaller, rear entrance).

The Queen of hive 2 of 2

Various images of frames in my new hives, both 1 and 2.  Beautiful!

pollinators: long live the queen by kelly heaton

Top row (from left to right): Heaton, work in progress; Aganetha Dyck; Arthur Rackham
Bottom row (from left to right): Queen of the Sun; John Anster; unknown artist c.1620