Bees on Germany Hill
On August 16, 2021, we packed up the RV and drove away from the home, community, and people we were most familiar with. Misty lived out of state in the past but in my case, Wayne County, NY has been home to me my entire life. This was a whole new experience for me. It was with bittersweet and mixed feelings that I got into that truck and faced it south. However, I was also feeling accomplishment and determination. We had pulled it off. We had hit our targeted departure date and I was doing exactly what I knew in my heart I was supposed to do. So, forward we went, down a road, I am very familiar. As a kid, my Dad would take us camping this way every summer to Watkins Glen. I would do the same as an adult. I was on Route 14, and we were headed to NY’s Southern Tier to visit Misty’s Uncle Tom and Aunt Janet near Owego, NY.
Germany Hill where they live is a beautiful location with stunning views. We were very excited to start our adventure by spending some time with them. We were also looking forward to taking Uncle Tom up on an offer he’d made to us back in the spring to “suit up” and visit the bees. We discovered during that previous visit, he is a beekeeper and produces and sells amazingly delicious honey. We bought a bottle from him then, and not only did we want to leave the state with more, but also wanted to see the bees and how they produce the honey. Uncle Tom was gracious in inviting us back for just such an adventure.
Unfortunately, the weather on the day we planned to visit was threatening rain and the bees were not flying. It didn’t look good for our plans, but Uncle Tom called that afternoon with some great news. The forecasted rain seemed to be drying up, conditions were improving, and he was able to report the bees were now flying. With renewed excitement, we arrived on Germany Hill, making a quick stop to capture a photo of the picturesque – and still active – Germany Hill United Methodist Church as well as the cemetery nearby. Many of Misty’s ancestors rest in that cemetery.
Uncle Tom and Aunt Janet were waiting to greet us and we soon found ourselves suited up and walking out to the beehives. I can honestly say I felt absolutely no fear, only a deep excitement. It did feel a little like we were getting ready for a spacewalk or moon landing though.
As we walked up the farm road toward the edge of a cornfield, Uncle Tom pointed out a portion of the road where a trickle of water was running and warned us to be cautious, the bees collect water in that spot. Sure enough, we saw several bees hovering over the water and stepped carefully over. I’ve seen bees over water before, but I had no idea they actually collect water. The water is returned to the hive and mixed with the nectar other bees collect to begin the formation of the honey.
When we arrived at the area containing the beehives, Uncle Tom stopped to prepare for our approach, and thus began our continuous barrage of questions. It didn’t bother him in the slightest and he patiently took the time to answer every question we could come up with.
There is an electrified fence around the hives to protect them from predatory creatures who would enjoy breaking in and destroying the hives for the honey. Bears are a concern (the Winnie the Pooh stories have it right) but the most significant threats actually come from skunks and raccoons.
There is a growth of shrubs and bushes that surround much of the fence with a larger opening on one side only. Uncle Tom indicated the hives were previously completely open to the surroundings but since bees fly and navigate in straight lines, having the area wide open actually confuses them. With just the one opening through the greenery, the bees are given a reference point for returning to their hive.
As he was explaining this environment around the beehives, he was preparing a metal smoker. It’s a small canister with a bellows at the bottom. He fills the canister with pine needles and lights them so they smolder. At the top is something like a narrow chimney, which concentrates the smoke through the opening. It reminded us of the cap worn by the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz. I was handed this smoker to try out and carry until it was needed. When the bellows are compressed, the smoke is forced out the end in whatever direction it’s aimed. I must admit I was having a little too much fun with this device.
After disconnecting the electricity to the fence, we began our approach to the hives. We were invited to follow Uncle Tom in between the hives, with the additional advice to not step in front of a hive where the opening could be seen. Doing so would impede the bees as they entered and left the hive, which would upset them. We certainly did not want to do that! We instantly became aware of the sound of buzzing that was all around us. It was an awe-inspiring moment. Again, I felt absolutely no fear and just enjoyed the experience of being amongst these amazing creatures. We were encouraged to step closer where we could observe the bees as they entered, exited, and congregated around the opening to the hive. The top covering was lifted off this hive using a tool that resembles a small pry bar and the smoker was utilized to exert some control over the bees. Bees communicate through smell, so the smoke interferes with this allowing the beekeeper to control and move them away from any targeted spot.
A section of honeycomb was lifted out for inspection, a few bees still in tow. These bees were gently brushed aside, and we were shown the sections of honey that were still immature and the sections that were complete. You can tell by the waxy cap the bees form over the cells in the honeycomb. If the caps are still unformed or glossy, the honey is not yet ready. If the cap is opaque and hardened, you have honey underneath ready for use. Uncle Tom will inspect the hives periodically in this way, to determine both the productivity and overall health of each particular hive. It was at this moment that he stopped, took a closer look in my direction, and nonchalantly informed me that the bees were checking me out to determine if they should be concerned. My smile grew bigger, and I was truly enjoying myself.
Uncle Tom is caring for approximately seven to nine individual hives within this fenced-in area. Each of these hives is a separate colony with varying degrees of production. He has each hive marked with fabric or some other colorful marker which does assist the returning bees in finding the opening on their respective hives.
Different levels make up an individual hive, the deeper wooden sections are called brood boxes, and the narrower being called supers. There is one queen for each hive, and she would be found in a brood box. The honey is produced primarily in the supers. In some of the hives, a metal screen has been placed on top of a super underneath the cover. This is to prevent the queen from migrating up into the top of the hive.
The other bees in a hive are worker bees and drones. The drones are the only male bees in a hive whose purpose is to fertilize eggs laid by the queen. The worker bees collect the water, nectar, and pollen, form the wax to create the honeycomb, convert the nectar into honey, tend to the queen, meet the needs of the colony and defend the hive. When referring to busy bees, it’s the worker bees this description applies to.
A worker bee may travel as far as two miles from the hive to collect nectar, if necessary. However, if there is a rich and desirable source of nectar close by, they will assuredly focus on that resource. There are two harvests each year (spring and fall) and when asked, Uncle Tom responded the fall harvest produces the “better” honey. This is due to the goldenrod that flowers in the northeast during autumn. That’s not to say spring honey from apple blossoms isn’t good too. These do add a “fruity” flavor to the honey.
After returning the honeycomb to the hive and replacing the cover, we stepped a few feet over to the next hive to perform a similar inspection. Uncle Tom broke off a piece of honeycomb and handed it to Misty and me to taste when we returned to the house. After looking in on a couple more of the hives, it was time to say goodbye to the bees. Once again in single file, we left the enclosed area, and the fencing was restored.
Misty and I returned to the house with one determined bee that wanted to stay with our honeycomb! Aunt Janet met us to help us remove our suits which had grown warm in the summer heat.
When it came time to taste the honeycomb, I can honestly say there isn’t much in this world that can compare to a bite of honeycomb fresh from the beehive. The beeswax itself becomes chewy like gum and is digestible if swallowed. We did chew the honeycomb but did not eat it, we did however fully consume the honey found within.
After our experience with the bees, we were blessed to sit down to an awesome dinner that included venison spiedies and ended with a homemade blackberry pie and ice cream. A relaxing fire looking out over their beautiful view followed. We had a great time talking, reminiscing, dreaming, and laughing. They even shared photos of a mother bobcat and her kittens from a time during winter when they had been spotted down on the iced pond behind the house. The photos don’t do the moment justice according to Aunt Janet, but the kittens were observed to be chasing what must have been an apple, all over that ice, slipping and sliding as they went! Mama sat to the side keeping watch over their play.
I can say, despite the emotions felt leaving home to begin this journey, I am so glad we started with a visit to Germany Hill. We had a fantastic time with Uncle Tom and Aunt Janet and are forever grateful for our visit to their home and their bees.
