Plain Talk: Building Your Own Bee Boxes (211)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast
In this episode, Jim delves into the art and practicality of building your own bee boxes. He reflects on his journey with woodworking, from crafting frames and supers to the challenges of creating durable hive components. Jim shares stories of his early fascination with tools, shop class memories, and the satisfaction of building hives from scratch. However, he also discusses the realities of time, cost, and quality that often make purchasing pre-made equipment a more practical choice for modern beekeepers. Whether you’re a seasoned woodworker or simply curious about the intersection of...
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Plain Talk: Mentoring New Beekeepers (210)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast
Mentoring new beekeepers is a vital part of sustaining the beekeeping community, but are traditional methods enough? In this episode, Jim explores the evolving approaches to mentoring, from hands-on hive inspections to innovative techniques like virtual reality, gamification, and multi-sensory workshops. Drawing from decades of experience, Jim shares the timeless lessons of beekeeping, such as understanding hive odors and the hum of busy bees. He also reflects on the value of staying current with new tools and resources that make mentoring more accessible and engaging. Whether you’re an...
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Plain Talk: Considering Spring Packages (209)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast
As winter sets in, Jim reflects on the annual ritual of ordering spring packages. From deciding how many packages to order to navigating delivery methods and timing, he explores the complexities and quirks of preparing for the new beekeeping season. Jim discusses the challenges faced by new and seasoned beekeepers alike, including balancing weather risks with the need to start early to maximize the nectar flow. With decades of experience and a dash of humor, he shares insights on managing packages, working with haulers, and adapting to the ever-evolving world of beekeeping. Whether you’re...
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Plain Talk: Things Not Seen (208)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast
In this reflective episode, Jim delves into the fascinating realm of beekeeping mysteries and experiences he’s never witnessed firsthand despite decades in the field. From the elusive sight of queens and drones mating mid-flight to spotting a queen on the outside of a swarm cluster, Jim explores the mysteries of bee behavior that continue to elude him. He shares anecdotes of near-misses and experiments, like his attempt to observe drones responding to a caged queen with a flying drone (the machine, not the bee). With humor and curiosity, Jim highlights the wonders of bees and the enduring...
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Archive Special: Browsing Bee Books (207)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast
In this special Thanksgiving episode, Jim revisits a cherished conversation with the late Kim Flottum, reflecting on their shared passion for beekeeping books and the joy of exploring bee knowledge together. From rare finds like Beekeeping New and Old to beloved staples like The Hive and the Honey Bee, Jim and Kim delve into the excitement and challenges of collecting bee literature. They discuss favorite authors, trusted resources like USDA pamphlets, and how beekeeping knowledge continues to evolve. Hearing Kim’s voice again reminds us of his warmth, insight, and dedication to the...
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Prepping for Winter with Will (206)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast
In this episode, Jim is joined by his grandson, Will, to discuss preparing hives for winter, especially for smaller or struggling colonies. Jim explains the natural decline in bee population as winter approaches and the importance of clustering behavior for warmth. Will brings up questions about hive size, honey stores, and insulation needs, sparking a conversation about how beekeepers can support small colonies through the cold months. From transferring honey frames to adding insulation, Jim and Will consider different strategies to improve winter survival chances. This episode provides...
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Plain Talk: Fanning Bees (205)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast
In this episode, Jim explores the intriguing behavior of honey bees fanning at the hive entrance. What might seem like simple wing-flapping turns out to be a complex system of hive temperature and humidity regulation, vital for brood development and honey production. Jim dives into the mechanics of how bees strategically position themselves to create airflow, control brood nest temperature, and assist in the dehydration of nectar. He also examines how water foragers and fanning bees coordinate to keep the hive cool on hot days. This episode offers fascinating insights into hive dynamics and...
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Plain Talk: Thieving Beekeepers (204)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast
In this candid episode, Jim shares a side of beekeeping rarely discussed: the loss of books, equipment, and even entire hives borrowed and never returned. As he recounts his experiences with missing bee catalogs, beekeeping books, and custom-built observation hives, Jim reflects on the challenges of sharing resources in the beekeeping community. His stories range from the humorous to the frustrating, including the time he gifted a swarm and never saw the hive box again. Jim highlights the unique bonds in beekeeping while reminding listeners of the value of trust and respect within the...
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Packing Hives with Anne Frey (203)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast
As the temperature drops, Jim and Anne Frey discuss the age-old question: Should you insulate your hives for winter? They explore the history of hive insulation, from traditional sawdust-filled crates to modern polystyrene wraps, weighing the benefits of warmth and moisture control against the labor and cost involved. Jim reflects on the various insulation methods he’s tried over the years, while Anne shares insights on insulation’s role in mimicking a tree’s thick walls, the natural shelter of wild bees. Together, they consider the pros and cons of popular materials like tar paper and...
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Plain Talk: Long Forgotten Equipment (202)
Honey Bee Obscura Podcast
In this episode, Jim takes a deep dive into the beekeeping catalogs of the past, reminiscing about tools and equipment that have disappeared from today’s market. He highlights products like the hive fountain feeder and the bee-off blower system—innovations that once seemed indispensable but have since faded into obscurity. Jim discusses the evolution of beekeeping gear, from practical solutions for bee management to tools that ultimately didn’t stand the test of time. For both new and experienced beekeepers, this episode offers a nostalgic look at the changing landscape of beekeeping and...
info_outlinePractice makes perfect, as the old adage says. This really rings true in the bee yard and working with honey bees. This week, Jim invites Betterbee’s EAS Master Beekeeper, Anne Frey, to the podcast to discuss how experience, gained by doing something over and over, is the basis of becoming a better beekeeper.
Practice makes perfect, as the old adage says. This really rings true in the bee yard and working with honey bees. This week, Jim invites Betterbee’s EAS Master Beekeeper, Anne Frey, to the podcast to discuss how experience, gained by doing something over and over, is the basis of becoming a better beekeeper.Experience is needed for confidence. Lighting and maintaining a smoker, finding a queen and even managing stings become more intuitive with each repetition. Experience isn’t just about doing; it’s about learning and adapting with each action.
However, experience and repetition do not equate to mastery in beekeeping. It's about understanding the nuanced art behind each task and the ecosystem you're engaging with.
Beekeeping transcends being a mere skill; it’s an art form that demands observation, adaptation, and continuous learning. It’s about challenging the status quo, embracing change, and mastering a variety of skills to truly excel in the bee yard.
Join Jim and Anne as they illustrate how the path from novice to master beekeeping excellence is layered with diverse learning experiences. Whether you’re new to beekeeping or a seasoned veteran, this episode is for you.
What are your most valuable, repeated skills in beekeeping. Let us know!
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Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee’s mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com
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Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.
Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott
Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)
Copyright © 2023 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
