On 2/3/2019 6:14 PM, Joy Beeson wrote:
> On Sun, 3 Feb 2019 07:28:30 -0600, heyjoe >
> wrote:
>
>> What are your thoughts and experience with your honey turning to sugar?
> An essay on maple-syrup making (citation lost in the mists of time)
> said that syrup must weigh exactly eleven pounds to the gallon. Any
> thinner, and it's likely to spoil. Any thicker, and it will
> crystallize.
>
> Honey weighs twelve pounds to the gallon. It's remarkable that it
> stays fluid as long as it does.
>
Â* If I remember the numbers correctly (I didn't , had to look it up) ,
honey averages around 17% water . Much more and it ferments , much less
and it crystallizes . Ours has never been checked , but neither ferments
nor crystallizes so it must be about right .

--
Snag
Yes , I'm old
and crochety - and armed .
Get outta my woods !

Terry Coombs wrote:
>
What do honey bees do in the winter (or at least on cold days),
Terry? Hibernate, I assume.

I had an odd encounter with a honey bee one nice warm day that
then turned extremely cold within an hour. It was 2-3 years ago
in January or February. I'll tell the story once you tell me how
they normally spend winter days.

On 2/4/2019 7:35 AM, Gary wrote:
> Terry Coombs wrote:
> What do honey bees do in the winter (or at least on cold days),
> Terry? Hibernate, I assume.
>
> I had an odd encounter with a honey bee one nice warm day that
> then turned extremely cold within an hour. It was 2-3 years ago
> in January or February. I'll tell the story once you tell me how
> they normally spend winter days.

Â* When the temps drop below about 40-50°F they cluster up in a ball .
Usually in the center of the hive , but the cluster can be anywhere .
There is a constant circulation of bees from inside to outside and back
, their body heat produced warms the cluster but not the hive itself .Â*
On warm days they break cluster and go on "cleansing" flights - gotta
take an occasional dump ya know .

--
Snag
Yes , I'm old
and crochety - and armed .
Get outta my woods !

On Monday, February 4, 2019 at 11:31:06 AM UTC-5, Terry Coombs wrote:
> On 2/4/2019 7:35 AM, Gary wrote:
> > Terry Coombs wrote:
> > What do honey bees do in the winter (or at least on cold days),
> > Terry? Hibernate, I assume.
> >
> > I had an odd encounter with a honey bee one nice warm day that
> > then turned extremely cold within an hour. It was 2-3 years ago
> > in January or February. I'll tell the story once you tell me how
> > they normally spend winter days.
>
> Â* When the temps drop below about 40-50°F they cluster up in a ball .

That reminds me. Yesterday it was a very pleasant, sunny 40 F
so we got out the lawn chairs and sat on the driveway for a
while. Most of that was waiting for the host tub to refill
after changing out most of the water.

I pictured the neighbors staring out their window: "Look at
those crazy Hamiltons! They've got the lawn chairs out in
February."

Cindy Hamilton

On 2019-02-04 12:38 p.m., Cindy Hamilton wrote:

> That reminds me. Yesterday it was a very pleasant, sunny 40 F
> so we got out the lawn chairs and sat on the driveway for a
> while. Most of that was waiting for the host tub to refill
> after changing out most of the water.
>
> I pictured the neighbors staring out their window: "Look at
> those crazy Hamiltons! They've got the lawn chairs out in
> February."
>


On Friday morning it was -22 C(-8F) and my well line froze and we had
about 8" of snow on the ground. This afternoon it is +16 (60F) and the
only snow on the ground is the stuff that was piled up by the plows last
week, and even those piles are small.


This after

writes:
>On 2019-02-04 12:38 p.m., Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>
>> That reminds me. Yesterday it was a very pleasant, sunny 40 F
>> so we got out the lawn chairs and sat on the driveway for a
>> while. Most of that was waiting for the host tub to refill
>> after changing out most of the water.
>>
>> I pictured the neighbors staring out their window: "Look at
>> those crazy Hamiltons! They've got the lawn chairs out in
>> February."
>>
>
>
>On Friday morning it was -22 C(-8F) and my well line froze and we had
>about 8" of snow on the ground. This afternoon it is +16 (60F) and the
>only snow on the ground is the stuff that was piled up by the plows last
>week, and even those piles are small.
>
>
>This after

oh come on, don't keep us in suspense - finish the story! This after
WHAT? NOW WHAT DID YOU FIND IN THE CUPBOARD?? A GNOME?????

On Mon, 4 Feb 2019 22:43:01 +0000 (UTC), tert in seattle
> wrote:

writes:
>>On 2019-02-04 12:38 p.m., Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>>
>>> That reminds me. Yesterday it was a very pleasant, sunny 40 F
>>> so we got out the lawn chairs and sat on the driveway for a
>>> while. Most of that was waiting for the host tub to refill
>>> after changing out most of the water.
>>>
>>> I pictured the neighbors staring out their window: "Look at
>>> those crazy Hamiltons! They've got the lawn chairs out in
>>> February."
>>>
>>
>>
>>On Friday morning it was -22 C(-8F) and my well line froze and we had
>>about 8" of snow on the ground. This afternoon it is +16 (60F) and the
>>only snow on the ground is the stuff that was piled up by the plows last
>>week, and even those piles are small.
>>
>>
>>This after
>
>oh come on, don't keep us in suspense - finish the story! This after
>WHAT? NOW WHAT DID YOU FIND IN THE CUPBOARD?? A GNOME?????

Yes, what a cruel cliffhanger! AFTER WHAT?

Terry Coombs wrote:
>
> On 2/4/2019 7:35 AM, Gary wrote:
> > Terry Coombs wrote:
> > What do honey bees do in the winter (or at least on cold days),
> > Terry? Hibernate, I assume.
> >
> > I had an odd encounter with a honey bee one nice warm day that
> > then turned extremely cold within an hour. It was 2-3 years ago
> > in January or February. I'll tell the story once you tell me how
> > they normally spend winter days.
>
>  When the temps drop below about 40-50°F they cluster up in a ball .
> Usually in the center of the hive , but the cluster can be anywhere .
> There is a constant circulation of bees from inside to outside and back
> , their body heat produced warms the cluster but not the hive itself .Â
> On warm days they break cluster and go on "cleansing" flights - gotta
> take an occasional dump ya know .

That's just like those idiot penguins that live in Antarctica do.
They do the same thing while stupidly standing out in open land
with full winds hitting them......for months on end.

Same dumb thing that seagulls here do. On an extremely cold and
windy day, they will all stand in a parking lot right at the
oceanfront facing the wind so it doesn't ruffle their feathers.
Dumbasses have a large building right near them....they could
walk over next to that and get out of the wind and be so much
warmer.

But...they all survive so who am I to complain?

Question for you again: When temps fall way below their cluster
thing...like 10F. Do they hibernate or just go into suspended
animation? They must do that or most would all die in winters in
the north. I do know that bumble bees shut down when frozen then
revive when warmed up.

On 2/12/2019 12:45 PM, Gary wrote:
> Terry Coombs wrote:
>> On 2/4/2019 7:35 AM, Gary wrote:
>>> Terry Coombs wrote:
>>> What do honey bees do in the winter (or at least on cold days),
>>> Terry? Hibernate, I assume.
>>>
>>> I had an odd encounter with a honey bee one nice warm day that
>>> then turned extremely cold within an hour. It was 2-3 years ago
>>> in January or February. I'll tell the story once you tell me how
>>> they normally spend winter days.
>>  When the temps drop below about 40-50°F they cluster up in a ball .
>> Usually in the center of the hive , but the cluster can be anywhere .
>> There is a constant circulation of bees from inside to outside and back
>> , their body heat produced warms the cluster but not the hive itself .Â
>> On warm days they break cluster and go on "cleansing" flights - gotta
>> take an occasional dump ya know .
> That's just like those idiot penguins that live in Antarctica do.
> They do the same thing while stupidly standing out in open land
> with full winds hitting them......for months on end.
>
> Same dumb thing that seagulls here do. On an extremely cold and
> windy day, they will all stand in a parking lot right at the
> oceanfront facing the wind so it doesn't ruffle their feathers.
> Dumbasses have a large building right near them....they could
> walk over next to that and get out of the wind and be so much
> warmer.
>
> But...they all survive so who am I to complain?
>
> Question for you again: When temps fall way below their cluster
> thing...like 10F. Do they hibernate or just go into suspended
> animation? They must do that or most would all die in winters in
> the north. I do know that bumble bees shut down when frozen then
> revive when warmed up.

Up north they sometimes insulate the hives some , especially in places
where the temps go well below zero F . We've had occasional temps here
down in single digits , the clustered bees did just fine . The big thing
is that they need food - honey or sugar - and it has to be accessible
while in cluster . As long as they have something to eat they'll pull
thru - usually , unless there are other problems like a lot of mites or
other pests . Mice can wipe out a hive in very short order . The real
worrisome time is early spring when they're "brooding up" in preparation
for the spring nectar flow . Takes a lot more food to make babies than
it does to keep the cluster warm .

--
Snag
Yes , I'm old
and crochety - and armed .
Get outta my woods !

Terry Coombs wrote:
>
> Up north they sometimes insulate the hives some , especially in places
> where the temps go well below zero F . We've had occasional temps here
> down in single digits , the clustered bees did just fine . The big thing
> is that they need food - honey or sugar - and it has to be accessible
> while in cluster . As long as they have something to eat they'll pull
> thru - usually , unless there are other problems like a lot of mites or
> other pests . Mice can wipe out a hive in very short order . The real
> worrisome time is early spring when they're "brooding up" in preparation
> for the spring nectar flow . Takes a lot more food to make babies than
> it does to keep the cluster warm .

Ok then. I will assume that when you harvest honey, you leave
enough for them to eat during the winter and spring until flowers
bloom again? IOW...if you take out ALL their honey, they would
die during the winter?

I actually have several bee stories to tell. Here's the first
one:

Watching some kids science-guy show one summer morning, he said
how bumblebees can freeze solid, go into suspended animation,
then revive once the temp warms up again. HUH, I thought. I just
had to see that for myself. I went right outside and scooped a
bumblebee on a clover into a jar with lid. Came back inside and
put that jar right into our freezer.

Next morning bee was frozen solid. The whole family gathered
around as I dumped the frozen bumble onto a dinner plate. Small
clink sound as he hit the plate...frozen solid and on his back
with all legs in the air.
We all sat there for about 15 minutes as he slowly warmed up
and....nothing.

A few minutes later though, one leg started slowly moving....then
more legs...eventually the bee turned over and just stood there
on the plate. That's when I took the plate outside and put it on
a porch table in the warm summer air.

Several more minutes and he started walking around the plate,
then flew off.

I was wondering if honey bees have that same ability....(my next
bee story)

Gary wrote:
....
> Ok then. I will assume that when you harvest honey, you leave
> enough for them to eat during the winter and spring until flowers
> bloom again? IOW...if you take out ALL their honey, they would
> die during the winter?

a lot of bee keepers take the honey and then
feed the hive with sugar water.

another practice for the larger bee keepers is
to ship them to warmer areas that need them for
pollination.


> I actually have several bee stories to tell. Here's the first
> one:
>
> Watching some kids science-guy show one summer morning, he said
> how bumblebees can freeze solid, go into suspended animation,
> then revive once the temp warms up again. HUH, I thought. I just
> had to see that for myself. I went right outside and scooped a
> bumblebee on a clover into a jar with lid. Came back inside and
> put that jar right into our freezer.
>
> Next morning bee was frozen solid. The whole family gathered
> around as I dumped the frozen bumble onto a dinner plate. Small
> clink sound as he hit the plate...frozen solid and on his back
> with all legs in the air.
> We all sat there for about 15 minutes as he slowly warmed up
> and....nothing.
>
> A few minutes later though, one leg started slowly moving....then
> more legs...eventually the bee turned over and just stood there
> on the plate. That's when I took the plate outside and put it on
> a porch table in the warm summer air.
>
> Several more minutes and he started walking around the plate,
> then flew off.
>
> I was wondering if honey bees have that same ability....(my next
> bee story)

interesting.

my bumblebee stories are around going out and picking
seeds off cosmos and accidentally grabbing a bumblebee.
the only time i've been stung by them so far here, but
they have been more numerous in the past. i need to get
the cosmo seeds planted this year as the various bees
all swarm them and they make a nice background flower
planting.

plant cucumbers as early as you can and they'll be
around if you have any locally.


songbird

On 2/15/2019 8:46 AM, Gary wrote:
> Terry Coombs wrote:
>>
>> Up north they sometimes insulate the hives some , especially in places
>> where the temps go well below zero F . We've had occasional temps here
>> down in single digits , the clustered bees did just fine . The big thing
>> is that they need food - honey or sugar - and it has to be accessible
>> while in cluster . As long as they have something to eat they'll pull
>> thru - usually , unless there are other problems like a lot of mites or
>> other pests . Mice can wipe out a hive in very short order . The real
>> worrisome time is early spring when they're "brooding up" in preparation
>> for the spring nectar flow . Takes a lot more food to make babies than
>> it does to keep the cluster warm .
>
> Ok then. I will assume that when you harvest honey, you leave
> enough for them to eat during the winter and spring until flowers
> bloom again? IOW...if you take out ALL their honey, they would
> die during the winter?
>
> I actually have several bee stories to tell. Here's the first
> one:
>
> Watching some kids science-guy show one summer morning, he said
> how bumblebees can freeze solid, go into suspended animation,
> then revive once the temp warms up again. HUH, I thought. I just
> had to see that for myself. I went right outside and scooped a
> bumblebee on a clover into a jar with lid. Came back inside and
> put that jar right into our freezer.
>
> Next morning bee was frozen solid. The whole family gathered
> around as I dumped the frozen bumble onto a dinner plate. Small
> clink sound as he hit the plate...frozen solid and on his back
> with all legs in the air.
> We all sat there for about 15 minutes as he slowly warmed up
> and....nothing.
>
> A few minutes later though, one leg started slowly moving....then
> more legs...eventually the bee turned over and just stood there
> on the plate. That's when I took the plate outside and put it on
> a porch table in the warm summer air.
>
> Several more minutes and he started walking around the plate,
> then flew off.

You actually froze a live bumblebee? All I can say is I'm glad the
science guy on television was right!

Jill