As we are deep into winter, it is time to check in on the hive! We connected with Peter Moskovits, founder and expert beekeeper of Honey by the Bay to give us a glimpse into the seasonal world of our bees. During the winter, the hive enters a quiet, still state, where the rhythm of daily life slows to a peaceful hum. Winter holds a different kind of energy for the colony - one of resilience, patience, and quiet strength.
The winter bees, typically only females, hold the survival and warmth of the colony at their very core. Their wings, no longer used for flight, shudder gently in place, generating heat that keeps the brood - and the hive itself - warm enough to survive. The stored nectar and honey from last autumn, serves as their primary food source during the winter months. The consumption and energy in the hive is a slow and steady buzz, a concerted effort to maintain the delicate balance of life.
Winter bees can live up to three months, far longer than their warmer-weather counterparts, who complete their life cycle every six weeks. Their longevity is a gift, a survival mechanism, allowing them to support the colony through the long, cold months. With each shudder of their wings, they perform a quiet magic, working together to keep the colony’s heart alive until the first signs of spring. In the hive, time has a different pace in winter, but still, life endures.
There are many lessons to learn from the hive each season. This winter, we can appreciate the importance of quiet magic and our community. In many parts of the world, the colder days and longer nights invite us to slow down and turn inward. While it may not seem like much is happening from the outside, this is a wonderful time to listen to our heart song and begin to plant seeds for the year ahead. In the hive, as in our lives, our community is what makes the difference between merely surviving and truly thriving. May the winter bees remind us to radiate warmth for our community and keep them close to our hearts and hives. Spring is just around the corner!
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