Jon Working Honey Bees

Jon Working Honey Bees

Jon's Bio

I graduated from SIUC in 1981. After college I worked as an officer in the Air Force until retirement in 1997. I had a second career teaching middle school science and retired again in 2010. In 1968 I married my high school sweetheart, Shirley, and we have two beautiful daughters and four grandchildren.
I have always loved to study natural history and bees are a fantastic organism for that pursuit. Their communication, cooperation, and life cycles are amazing. It is fun just to sit by the hive and watch them rush in and out with their cargo. Beekeeping tunes you into the ecology of plants in your area as you learn which ones produce the nectar and pollen the hives depend on. This knowledge is a key ingredient of hive management. Many of the posts I make on this blog will be about plant happenings.
I am also interested in fishing and woodworking. I enjoy animal husbandry and have raised many kinds of poultry. Currently I only have a couple of yard dogs and three Boston Terriors.
Thanks to the MV Beekeepers for hosting this site.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Milkweed Blooming today, June 8th

Milkweed started blooming up and down the roads this week.  According to ABC and XYZ of Bee Culture:  "When the weather is favorable the nectar is secreted very rapidly, and a large colony may gather 13 o 17 pounds in a day.  The honey is so thick and heavy that it may be necessary to warm the combs before extracting.  The honey is white or tinged with yellow and has a pleasant fruity flavor ....".  Hope the plants can yield some nectar in this drought we are having.  This is the plant that monarch butterflies depend on for raising their caterpillars.  
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