Robert and Danielle went on a hike and sent us fabulous photos of bees foraging in the desert. I think the first one is magazine cover worthy. Robert gets amazing shots without a fancy camera -- at one point in his life he wanted to be a wildlife photographer. He has the eye for it!
How Robert got so lucky to find Danielle, who is not freaked out by bugs, geckos, or snakes, is beyond me. We love her!
You can read more about our honey adventures in Arizona here, here, and see other bee photos Robert took here.
Mark's eldest son, Robert, and his lovely girlfriend Danielle (Hi! We miss you!) went hiking in the desert recently.
Pollinators and other winged creatures are taking flight as spring transforms the earth and blue skies beckon. Check out those contrails! It was a beautiful day for a flight.
Robert has a fascination with all things crittery, and the Lewis family loves to tell stories about him and his adventures. "I'd come home and if there was a box with a rock and a piece of paper on it, I knew not to get in it," Mark says. "Usually there would be some kind of snake or lizard . . . he was always bringing home something from the woods or river." Feral piglets. Poisonous snakes. No big deal. Robert is also a great photographer.
One of my favorite pictures of Robert was taken when he was about 10 and is wearing beekeeping gear. He's watching a honey bee crawl on his gloved hand and looks so happy. I'm excited that he's interested in pursuing a degree in entomology here at Mississippi State so we'll have our very own bee expert in the family. In the meantime, we have to settle for great photos of bees who will make some delicious sage honey.
On Monday we were snowed in from work and school so we took an afternoon walk out to Bee Hill. It's hard to believe these pictures were taken in Mississippi!
I was ready to get out to Bee Hill. It was eerily quiet after hearing them buzz all summer. I try not to worry.
Above: Hives 1-4, the front view.
Above: Hives 5-6, front/side view.
Many dead bees were floating in icy cold water in the rain cups on the stands Mark designed. They've likely been there awhile -- probably dead bodies pushed out of the hive, then they fell off or were blown into the cups. I tell myself this is normal, that the bees will experience a drastic reduction in number during the winter.
Mark & Robert, who was home visiting from Luke AFB. He can identify all of the birds and animals around and enjoys bees too.
Robert took this picture of me in my pre-MS hat and post-MS insulated overalls. Wish he'd also gotten a photo of my insulated boots so you could see that I'm well cared for and toasty warm. I hope the bees are too! I've never been so anxious for warmer weather. Even just one day in the 60s so I can see if the bees are okay . . .
