I don't have too much spare time on my hands, but I did sign up to volunteer at the Wenatchee Farmer's Market to provide photographic services.  Nan and I went to the orientation and met a some of the vendors.  It was a great way to take some photographs of people and products and at the same time promote local farming and production of useful goods.   McGregor Farms Honey -5210058McGregor Farms Honey McGregor Farms Lavender Honey-5210072McGregor Farms Lavender Honey McGregor Farms Honey, Bees'wax-5210066McGregor Farms Honey, Bees'wax

We met Kim and Mike McGregor of McGregor Farms who were selling honey products from their bees.​  During the conversation they mentioned that they were looking for places to put hives to increase production and variety of honey. We were considering bee keeping as a way to produce honey, help with local pollination of wild flowers and promote bee activity.  Mike and Kim were looking for a place to host hives in trade for some honey.  This was the perfect opportunity.  We did not need too much honey, we want bees in the area and it helps out a local honey producer.  And best of all, there was no work involved other than providing a space and helping mike unload the pallets of hives.  A little over a week ago Mike arrived at 5:00 AM with a truck load of bee hives, six pallets.  Bees are less active in the early morning hours.  I met Mike in our pasture with my skid steer loader and pallet forks and helped him unload six pallets, with four hives on each pallet.  It is great to have the space being used productively.

Today Mike stopped by to check on the hives and shuffle some frames around to make sure the bees had enough room in the hives to keep constructing their combs, tend to the brood and make honey.  Mike had an extra bee jacket and hood for me and gave me a tour of the hives and quick lesson on hive operations and politics.  Yes, even bees have politics.  If a queen is not doing the job, the bees can get rid of her.

Bee Hives-6010005Mike tending the hives.

 Here the bees are tending to the queen, who is under the pile.

Bee Hives-6010025Tending to the queen.

Mike checks the status of a frame.

Bee Hives-6010034Inspecting the frames.

Mike said the bees must be happy in this location since they are particularly good natured, nonetheless, he did have his smoker on hand to calm the bees.

Bee Hives-6010030Reaching for the smoke. We were able to scoop some nectar off the frames with our bare hands nudging some of the bees out of the way.  The nectar was sweet and fragrant.

Through our volunteering at the Wenatchee Valley Farmer's Market we have had the opportunity to help the Farmer's Market and meet some great people.