Lake Bluff Honey Bee Farm (Bee Barns!)

My friend Deborah and I love to take our cameras out for a ride. Yesterday afternoon we went to visit the bees at Lake Bluff Honey Bee Farm

I'll be truthful and say that massive amounts of bees do scare me just a little bit... I did not panic when one landed on top of my head... but I wanted to. Instead, I stifled a scream and the urge to jump frantically up and down, brushed it gently away, and prayed that it was really gone. (You know how just the thought of lice makes one itchy? The whole time I was sure a bee was sitting on top of my head. I could feel it! But there was really nothing there.)

Out in the yard one of the colonies was acting a bit strange, perhaps getting ready to swarm. Although I kept my distance, it did make a spectacular photo opportunity. The back lighting from the sun helped too.

In February or March of this past year The Cabinet Maker and I went to a bee keeper's meeting with the farm's owners. We briefly considered getting both honey bees and chickens, but bees come with a hefty setup and I don't think a broom would be much protection if they decided to attack... Besides, collecting eggs doesn't require a suit, smoke, or special equipment, even if honey is sweeter.

Jose asked if we wanted to see the Honey Room inside his barn. We were quite eager to see how the process worked until we saw the doorway full of bees... Jose let a few fly out, then stood in the doorway and said, "Follow me. I'll protect you." (Ha ha! Right!) So we stepped through a curtain of bees and into a barn full of them. And we survived! (I'm spouting courage all over the place and I haven't even been to the dentist yet!!!)

And, then there was the little white dog who decided I could pick her up (without her backing away). She even gave me a few licks on the neck and a snuggle before I put her down again. I think she weighs twice as much as she did when she left us in November, but I think she's twice as happy living on the honey bee farm too. She really wasn't sure what to think of The Naughties last year. Poor Sofie.
:0)

I decided to be creative, stretch the limits again, and link my Bee Barns to Tom's Barn Collective.