Johnny Bee Good Honey

08/10/2026

08/10/2026

Even when the unexpected happens, a truck that won’t start, we can still find a little beauty in the moment. Today, we paused to appreciate Earth’s amazing pollinators hard at work. Sometimes the sweetest moments are found in the unexpected. 🐝💛🦋🧡

04/12/2026

There’s something almost mesmerizing about seeing this kind of precision in nature…. how perfectly the queen’s laying pattern reflects nature’s ability to create the ideal conditions for success in such an incredible world.

Moments like this highlight how finely tuned these systems are. Everything from timing to spacing supports the health and survival of the entire colony. It’s not just impressive, it’s a reminder of how deeply interconnected and sophisticated natural processes can be, even on such a small scale.

01/24/2026

Keeping Our Bees Warm 🥶🐝💛🙏
Bees can handle cold temps surprisingly well even below 0°F. Here in Virginia, the real problem isn’t just the cold, but cold plus moisture and wind.
Because temps will be in the teens and below we decided to provide our bees a lil blanket to help them get through the colder temps.
We used tar paper, it will help by blocking the wind, soaking up a little solar heat on sunny winter days, and slowing heat loss. We only wrapped the sides, and we keep it loose not wrapping the bottom and not sealing the top. The bottom entrance stayed open (or reduced), and any top ventilation stayed open too. Think windbreaker, not plastic wrap.
Once this cold snap passes, we’ll take the tar paper off so moisture doesn’t build up. Too much moisture can stress the colony and even kill the bees. It’s always about finding that balance with Mother Nature. 🐝
(The bees you see did not survive the cold 😢 we are thankful there were not more. Yes, one bee was bringing back pollen.)

07/20/2025

😅🐝💛
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMP6eV2x4zr/?igsh=MTR3ZzhnamlwbXA0bg==

05/31/2025

We have honey!! 🍯🐝
Despite the heartbreak of almost losing two of our hives—and its honey—to a bear earlier this week, our other hives have pulled through beautifully. These incredible bees have worked tirelessly, and we’re so thankful to still be able to harvest this liquid gold. Every drop is a testament to their resilience and the wonder of nature. 💛🌼

05/27/2025

A Heartbreaking Moment at the Apiary
Today was meant to be a day of sweet reward—a honey harvest. Unfortunately, something beat us to it. Whether it was a bear or raccoons, the result was the same: a significant loss of honey and, more devastatingly, the loss of thousands of bees.
While our visitors likely enjoyed their feast, their intrusion serves as a somber reminder of how fragile and valuable these little lives truly are. Every drop of honey is the result of an extraordinary collective effort—thousands of flights, countless flowers, and countless hours of tireless work.
Beekeeping is about so much more than honey. It’s about caring for an entire ecosystem.
We're doing everything we can to help the colony recover, ensuring its continued health and resilience 🐝

05/26/2025

04/15/2025

Good morning 🦅❤️🤍💙 🐝💛😔
Photo courtesy Alison Foster, nice capture 📸

04/04/2025

Did you see her carrying pollen into the hive?

Honey bees visit flowers and gather pollen on their front legs, which are moistened to help the pollen stick. Then, they use their legs to brush the pollen onto their hind legs.
On the hind legs of honey bees, there are specialized structures called "pollen baskets". These are covered with long, stiff hairs that help hold the pollen in place.
The pollen load carried back to the hive can weigh up to 30% of the bee's total body weight!🐝👏💛