The Hive, a unique structure made from thousands of pieces of latticed aluminium with hundreds of LED lights that glow and fade, is installed at The Royal Botanic Kew Gardens (London, England). It was created by UK artist Wolfgang Buttress (which I think is an awesome name for a guy who builds big structures) and was inspired by scientific research into the health of bees.

What may be most interesting about this “art” is that it is connected to an actual hive and changes as the hive activity changes! Their website states:
“These multi-sensory elements of the Hive are in fact responding to the real-time activity of bees in a beehive behind the scenes at Kew. The sound and light intensity within the space changes as the energy levels in the real beehive surge, giving visitors an insight into life inside a bee colony. ”

To learn more click here. (Photos courtesy of Kew Gardens’ Website… more to see by using the link)

Heard of cinnamon and honey for weight loss? Benefits of raw honey for allergies, especially organic local honey?

Please comment! Share your experiences in comments below…

The British newspaper “Telegraph” had a campaign this summer called, “Bring Back Bees”. It seems that in the last 70 years 2 species of bees have become extinct in Britain, and there is only one species left. Read this and other interesting facts on the link below…

Britain’s Bring Back Bees Campaign

Last year was a tough year for honey bees in the USA.  Michigan bees had it worse than most, with 47% hives lost, while the national average was closer to 37%. Here is a partial explanation, but keep in mind there are many variables affecting our bees…

When the drought hit last fall, the queens stopped producing brood, due to no nectar coming in. Then Michigan went directly into cold weather, which, in turn, caused honey bees to go into winter with “old” summer bees- not young winter bees. Many hives went into the cold with very small populations of bees as well, and they just couldn’t generate enough heat to sustain the cluster though the winter.

Some beekeepers, like me,  lost more than half of their hives, so we are really trying to regroup and come back strong… Not knowing what this season will bring.

It costs as much as $1,000 to get a hive fully up and thriving. Would you like to help? This is a donation you can really feel good about, since you are helping the environment, while helping replenish the disappearing population of our natural pollinators!!  No matter what part of the country you are in… our ecosystem needs you to give it a boost right now!!  This is due to so many factors including global climate, humans encroaching on natural habitats, pesticides, fertilizers, and Colony Collapse Disorder, etc…

Securely donate to help Scott the Urban Beekeeper build new hives now, by clicking here!

http://www.gofundme.com/Save-the-Bees

I apologize that this last round of videos came so fast, but I have been busy at work and with the family. The hive kinda takes care of itself.  Keep checking back because I have more videos I will post soon.