Snowbound Hives

Isn't this a wonderful photograph? It was sent yesterday by Bettina Utz, one of my fellow core members in the NYC Beekeepers Association.

Aside from the incredibly pleasing aesthetics at play, what's kind of great about the way the snow is capping these hives is that it mirrors the natural, bell-like shape of honeycomb itself, as seen in this picture from one of my top-bar hives taken a couple of summers ago.
One hopes and imagines that the colonies in Bettina's hives are benefiting from the insulation of their gorgeous "hats" of snow, and that spring will soon release them (and all of us!) from this long winter's nap.

Anthills Chillin'

We have some impressive ant hills in the old pasture behind our property. During a recent snow-shoe excursion to follow the meandering coyote tracks wherever they might lead, I came upon a few of my favorite anthills in all their snowbound glory.
Are the ants living below this blanket of snow sleeping in these days, or (as is more likely) are they, like the bees in slowdown mode within their hives, doing small errands and working their way, bit by bit, through their winter food supply?It's fun to imagine thousands of ants safely hidden away inside these protective mounds, deep below the cold white surface, loafing a bit in this, the "off-season." For verily, if anyone deserves a chance to chill, it's the hard-working ants.

A Honeybee in Snow

Yesterday, on my afternoon walk around the pond, I found this sweet girl in the snow. Perhaps the warm day lured her too far from the hive and when the weather chilled, she couldn't make it back. Or perhaps she felt her end was near and ventured from her sister bees into the white abyss with a sense of final purpose. Whatever the story, I hope her end was quick. She was a lovely creature.