Let go and let the bees

The bees know when they are on to something, and we may as well.

If you have ever kept bees, you might see the "challenge" in this photo right away. 

Yesterday, I opened my hive for the last time this season. Over the years, I have learned to open the hive less and less, especially now that I am working with a top bar hive and a more natural, bee-centric approach.

But this year is a bit different! 

First off, my bees have been the absolute sweetest hive I have ever worked with. Even in this case where the adjustable wall pulled apart some of the comb, they have been so chill.

Second, they immediately started building the comb perpendicular to the hive entrance. I thought at first that it was something to do with magnetic fields or cardinal directions. Who knows? But upon further research, I have learned that this is something that some beekeepers (specifically in europe) or bees themselves have done to improve air flow. It certainly is the first time I have seen it, and I am going to operate under the assumption that the bees know what they are doing.

It makes little sense to me after years of beekeeping and coaching creatives to change an established path a colony, collective, or individual seems determined to be on. I have learned to be more of a witness, offering guidance and support when it is asked for.

When I checked in with those bees, they said something akin to "we are just fine, thank you. let us show you what we are capable of." And so this weekend I extended the back of the top bar hive to its full capacity and provided a supplemental water source, just in case.

But since they have been building perpendicular to the bars as well, I will not open the hive again unless absolutely necessary as it would destroy their crafts-bee-ship.

I trust their Collective Creativity, though will keep you up to date on the hive as it evolves.