Jo
I met Jo while I was staying in Northern Ireland. Dorothy, my host, went to a garden gathering Jo was hosting, and I tagged along. The group was welcoming and the evening, spent around the little courtyard campfire, was so much fun. I found out that Jo kept bees and was immediately fascinated. She was thrilled to share her knowledge with me, and so we set up a time for me to observe and learn.
Jo’s beekeeping began with a class on bees and finding out she loved learning about everything related to them. Since that first class she has acquired four hives in her home garden, and takes care of more in Antrim at a beekeeping club. Jo’s motivation is for the bees themselves. Bee populations are dangerously low, and they are hugely important pollinators that keep our environments going. While she does on occasion collect honey or wax, it’s not often and that’s not really the point of beekeeping for her.
Jo’s beekeeping began with a class on bees and finding out she loved learning about everything related to them. Since that first class she has acquired four hives in her home garden, and takes care of more in Antrim at a beekeeping club. Jo’s motivation is for the bees themselves. Bee populations are dangerously low, and they are hugely important pollinators that keep our environments going. While she does on occasion collect honey or wax, it’s not often and that’s not really the point of beekeeping for her.
A very attentive guardian, Jo checks the hives on a pretty regular basis. She has an eye for detail, and is thoughtful and thorough. It's important to look for signs of disease, and that the bees have sufficient stores. She makes sure each hive has a healthy queen, often marking the queen with a special pen to make her easier to find in the future. It’s obvious how much she cares about the bees, which she endearingly calls her “girls,” as all the worker bees are female.
I was captivated by the colonies and their hives. The honeycomb is impressively constructed and lovely. If I was not so intent on shooting thought, I would have been a little more unnerved by all the buzzing around me. Checking the first three hives went smoothly, but the last hive was particularly agitated. It’s likely that they were in between a Queen dying and a new one being born. Jo attempt to start a check, but the bees were having none of it. I had learned earlier from Jo that honey bees will vibrate before they are about to sting, and this piece of knowledge was a lucky thing to remember. One of the angry bees landed on my hand and vibrated. I was able to shake it off before it stung and I promptly ran away. I haven’t been stung before, and wasn’t keen to experience that at the moment. Jo knows she’s not allergic, so being stung is not particularly dangerous for her. That being said, it’s not very fun, and after over 10 stings she called it a day.
Regardless of the dramatic end to the lesson, it was a fantastic time. I loved Jo’s outlook, and her impressive care for her hives. These little creatures are vital components of our environments and our food supply as pollinators for our crops. It’s great to see a window into their lives, and the people who look after them.
I was captivated by the colonies and their hives. The honeycomb is impressively constructed and lovely. If I was not so intent on shooting thought, I would have been a little more unnerved by all the buzzing around me. Checking the first three hives went smoothly, but the last hive was particularly agitated. It’s likely that they were in between a Queen dying and a new one being born. Jo attempt to start a check, but the bees were having none of it. I had learned earlier from Jo that honey bees will vibrate before they are about to sting, and this piece of knowledge was a lucky thing to remember. One of the angry bees landed on my hand and vibrated. I was able to shake it off before it stung and I promptly ran away. I haven’t been stung before, and wasn’t keen to experience that at the moment. Jo knows she’s not allergic, so being stung is not particularly dangerous for her. That being said, it’s not very fun, and after over 10 stings she called it a day.
Regardless of the dramatic end to the lesson, it was a fantastic time. I loved Jo’s outlook, and her impressive care for her hives. These little creatures are vital components of our environments and our food supply as pollinators for our crops. It’s great to see a window into their lives, and the people who look after them.
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