Sun, Nov 22 2009
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Published July 01, 2009 10:51 am - July 1, 2009 Backstroking bees Area beekeeper Roy Hall has been raising the insects since 1993, and they have some pretty curious habits. By RENEE FITE Press Special Writer When you do the backstroke across the pool, consider this, somewhere in a birdbath honeybees are doing the same thing.
“See that one, he’s swimming,” Roy Hall said pointing to one of his birdbaths with about 30 bees on or near the edge of the water. “They will swim around in the water on their back then move over the edge and climb out.” Beekeeper and local rescuer of swarms, Hall said he’s been enjoying watching them since 1993. And the honey, of course. Gladiolas, other flowers and blooming weeds grow for his bees around the yard, which has a, “Beward of Bee” sign posted. Honey crops look better this year, he said. “Looks like I’m going to get a decent yield this year,” Hall said. “Seems to be a lot more swarms this year.” In spite of the rainy then hot weather, he said. “We got a lot of rain whenthe bees needed to be out working. Now it’s dry and hot, not a lot of flowers out there now.” There are probably more pollen flowers, like Rose of Sharon than nector flowers, white clover and vetch, he said. The first day he took honey was June 22. “After the first of August everything on the hive belongs to the bees.” He leaves about 90 pounds of honey on the hives for the bees to live on during winter. At $15 a quart, he sold about $500 worth last year. This year, he speculates it will be about $800. The honey is flavored and colored by the flowers the bees visit. “Some is light and some is dark,” he said. “I mix it all together.” He normally leaves extra pollen granules in his honey, using a double sifter but no cloth in between for this honey. He strains others with the cloth, as customers prefer. 
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