wax foundation {explored}
MacroMondays theme: Hobby
...mine is beekeeping
Bees are not really domesticated. Certainly not in the sense that we use the word "domesticated" to refer to the farmed ruminants, poultry and pigs where humans, via selective breeding, have successfully managed to modify body size, proportions and behaviour to fit the needs of the farmer and consumer.
For sure there has been some selection for temper but bees are essentially truly wild animals that we work with to mutual human-bee benefit.
As beekeepers, we give them somewhere to live, some help with diseases/parasites, we try to control their reproduction (stopping swarming), and then hopefully reap the rewards. For me the key reward is the wonder and fun of seeing them up close and understanding their behaviour. OK the the honey does help a bit too but it is always secondary to the wonder for me.
The picture above shows wax foundation. This is made from recycled beeswax and is "printed" in relief with an outline of the cells to direct/start the bees' cell making. It is used to make the bees "stay within lines" - meaning that brood and honeycomb are in frames that can be manipulated, inspected and moved. Personally I think wax foundation is by far the most important invention in modern beekeeping (interestingly it usually gets relatively little specific mention in talks on the history of beekeeping that I have attended)
In the picture above, the hexagon cell size is 5.44mm between parallel sides.
Good quality wax foundation like this smells even better than it looks - a gentle, warm, waxy-honey aroma - the same smell you get opening a hive in July.
wax foundation {explored}
MacroMondays theme: Hobby
...mine is beekeeping
Bees are not really domesticated. Certainly not in the sense that we use the word "domesticated" to refer to the farmed ruminants, poultry and pigs where humans, via selective breeding, have successfully managed to modify body size, proportions and behaviour to fit the needs of the farmer and consumer.
For sure there has been some selection for temper but bees are essentially truly wild animals that we work with to mutual human-bee benefit.
As beekeepers, we give them somewhere to live, some help with diseases/parasites, we try to control their reproduction (stopping swarming), and then hopefully reap the rewards. For me the key reward is the wonder and fun of seeing them up close and understanding their behaviour. OK the the honey does help a bit too but it is always secondary to the wonder for me.
The picture above shows wax foundation. This is made from recycled beeswax and is "printed" in relief with an outline of the cells to direct/start the bees' cell making. It is used to make the bees "stay within lines" - meaning that brood and honeycomb are in frames that can be manipulated, inspected and moved. Personally I think wax foundation is by far the most important invention in modern beekeeping (interestingly it usually gets relatively little specific mention in talks on the history of beekeeping that I have attended)
In the picture above, the hexagon cell size is 5.44mm between parallel sides.
Good quality wax foundation like this smells even better than it looks - a gentle, warm, waxy-honey aroma - the same smell you get opening a hive in July.