Bees on a Williamsburg rooftop

Last night, we went for a walk in our wonderful neighborhood, the sun was setting and the light was soft and romantic. As we walked past Isa, an excellent restaurant, I suddenly remembered hearing that they had installed a hive or two. I looked up to see two lovely and colorful beehives perched above the restaurant.

Robert, from the restaurant, invited us up to visit the bees who were quietly settling in for the evening. Some were forming a small beard at the entrance of the hive. Bearding is when the bees huddle together in a beard like formation, sometimes because they are too crowded inside or too hot. A medium super and honey super (the two upper boxes).

The bees are probably getting used to their new supers, in a few days, they will no longer need to beard. They look like very happy bees, healthy and spunky. We are not sure what type they are, so if anyone can tell us, that would be great!

Voila! So if you are looking for a nice restaurant for dinner, check out Isa (http://isa.gg/isa/) and say hi to their bees!

Beekeeping meeting

Kim Flottum, editor of Bee Culture Magazine

Last night, we attended our first NYC beekeepers gathering in The Arsenal in Central Park. Kim Flottum, editor of Bee Culture magazine and renowned beeekeper, talk about beekeeping and the history of the decline of the honey bee population. His presentation, "The Buzz about Bees and the Future of Food", was really interesting, although I felt he was preaching to the quire (choir?). However, he also drew an interesting parallel between the current resurgence of beekepers and that of the 1970s. He also explained that while Colony Collapse Disorder is one of the worst things that has happened to the bee population, it is also one of the best things that happened to beekeeping. This is true in the sense that had we not felt the sense of urgency and worry about the bees, we might not have discovered an incredible passion for beekeeping! Many new beekeepers like us, were likely drawn in for the same reason.

Of course we were not surprise to discover that beekeepers like to eat and share delicious food! Among other delicious foods, there was cold celery soup, an assortment of cheeses, various artisan breads and most importantly incredible deserts!!

At the end of the meeting, we were invited to the rooftop, where there was a small but lovely vegetable garden, tended by the employees of The Arsenal. Up there we witnessed a of the most beautiful sunset and chatted with some fellow beekeepers.

All in all in was quite a pleasant evening to be amongst fellow bee lovers!

Bees in the Big Apple

Yes, I know, it has been much too long since my last post, no excuses. You have been patiently waiting to learn more about these wonderful creatures I rant and rave about. No excuses, so here I am with a short post to share this fun video about the bees that just moved into the penthouse of the Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan. As you know, bee keeping has become legal in the city of New York only in the past couple of years, a buzz is building up through the streets of the five boroughs. Bees are starting to get the attention they deserve and hopefully, with a little help from everyone we will ensure their survival, and in turn ours!!

The Associated Press has a short one too:

I hope share many new pictures and videos of our own bees in my next post!!!