My bees have a white stripe on their back - Himalayan Balsam

I see at this time of the year on beekeeping forums new beekeepers asking a question like "My bees have a white stripe down their back. They look like ghosts. Are they sick?" :) Far from it :)

As you can see in this photo the white stripe comes from the Himalayan Balsam pollen :) thats all, 

no big deal :)

The ladies dig the blondie look at this time of the season ;)

 Most countries find this plant specie "invasive". I have no clue what they

are talking about since they a TERRIFIC source of nectar and pollen for 

both our Honeybees and Bumblebees. I find mono-crop agriculture highly 

invasive yet our governments aren't doing much about it.

 That said, I will be propagating this fabulous plant which is 

flowering so late in the season when very little is. They are 

priceless for the bees. I started collecting seeds from it :)

I'm guerilla, invading the planet with bee friendly plants ;)

These seed pods explode on the touch and for this reason

I gently close the pods into my palm where they explode, otherwise

they scatter all over the place.

My first ever honey harvest

My ladies gave me a small present yesterday :) I'm so happy and grateful for it!
Last year I did not harvest any honey in top bar hives because of the extremely rainy summer but this year is entirely different and the honey flow is strong. Not just that but this locality is so rich in flora which is in constant continuum.
I only took one comb out and simply did crush'n'strain making sure to squeeze out the pollen.

 Top Bar Virgin Honey with Pollen from Che Guebee Apiary

Pollen is lighter than honey and floats up to the surface 

The honey has a strong taste :) and the pollen is just speacial

Flowering paradise

Summer is the lush season :) everything is in full bloom and bees are at their busiest buzzing here and there collecting pollen, nectar, water and propolis.
Even though the nature here offers a lot I decided to plant some more and help out our buzzing ladies which they obviously appreciate :)

 Borage is growing lush and strong. I have never seen such tall Borage. 

Honey and Bumble Bees are going nuts over its flowers :)

 I have planted a few big pots with Reseda odorata

which seems to be on the Honey Bees menu :)

Peach color pollen from Reseda odorata flower 

which smells lovely. I will plant this flower in huge 

quantities in the future :)

Rose Colored Pollen

 I have spotted rose colored pollen being brought into the hive. 

Im not sure what plant has rose pollen?

 More pics of rose pollen and of course the inevitable Oil Seed Rape yellow pollen

 Guard Bee keeping a watchful eye

 Yellow pollen is for sure coming from the fields of Rape/Raps/Canola :(

Red Pollen

After yesterday's rainy and cloudy day the Bees seem very eager to work :) It is sunny again and the temperature is 24'C. Perfect for collecting lots of pollen and nectar. But this time I've noticed Red pollen going into the hive and of course I took out my camera and hunted for the perfect shot;

I'm not sure where this red pollen comes from?

Yellow, red and orange pollen

Could this red pollen be from the Red Non-stinging Nettle maybe?

Returning home with precious nectar. Our dear ladies are very busy today :) 

Blue Pollen

"Glory Of The Snow" (Chionodoxa Luciliae)  is flowering big time around here and the bees are all over it collecting blue pollen :)

 Blue Pollen collected in the bee leg baskets

 Solitary Bee collecting pollen

 Honey Bees collecting this blue candy :)

The Willow started blooming yet I saw only a few Bumble Bees on it and not even one single Honey Bee. Seems like Honey Bees prefer the Glory-Of-The-Snow.