Honey Extraction Trip - C.E.'s Apiary - London Bridge Rd in Virginia Beach

After our visit to the Watkin's Apiary in Knotts Island, the honey supers were brought over to - what I feel safe to say - is one of the largest bee yards in Virginia Beach. Lucky us, we were happy to learn some honey extraction tips from a long-time TBA member - C.E.. Here he is next to one of his hives. He has been beekeeping for over 30+ years. During the class he was showing and telling us about some stories from his great-grandparents who had taught him about beekeeping! If you ever travel down London Bridge Rd. You may notice an little shop with a lot of beehives in the front yard. Home to C.E. and his family, some very active beekeepers! C.E. posing with a hive.

Fellow TBA members checking out the apiary

Funny how I remember passing by this place as a kid and always wanting to know what was going on there. It only took 25 years or so, but I got a private tour of the place!

We arrived at 6pm so we were just in time to watch hundreds of thousands of bees heading back to the hives as the sun began to set. Was awesome to feel surrounded by them all, just the vast numbers of them wizzing about was so cool, his yard is one busy bee airport -! Wish i would have made note of the number of hives he had - but I would estimate he had between 25-30. Probably well over 250,000 bees there! Despite the numbers, looked like everyone knew which hive to go to...sort of a calm chaos as they flew back to their entrances for the evening. Tour of the grounds. Here is a Brown Turkey Fig tree, CE had just picked a few gallons that day and let us sample some...yummmm!

Tulip Poplar Tree - this is a very important nectar source in the spring for the bees.

Huge Tree with leaves shaped like a tulip flower. As we entered the honey extraction room we were greeted by this honey sign. He even had customers knocking on the door and asking for honey as he was giving the class. Once we got inside the extraction room - I realized it was alittle toasty, actually.... it was dang hot in there. The dehumidifier was on too. The dry heat helps preserve the honey and prepares it for extraction. Despite the temps - here are some cool photos of C.E. in action!! He took out frames one at a time and with a knife -he cut through the caps of the comb, using a gentle sawing motion...prepared the frames for the extractor.

Uncapping the honeycomb - C.E. is using an electric heated knife he's had for over 35 years!

(He was telling us it only came with a one year warranty though.)

Slicing through the capped comb. Note the lady in the window... She was cracking me up. Just appeared out of nowhere and was stalking C.E. to get some comb honey. He told her he was out - and even gave her the name and number to someone in the club who did. But I think seeing all the frames there, she didnt want to take no for an answer. Haahaa then she proceded to make herself at home in front of the window watching the extraction process. Suddenly, it- felt like we were part of a museum exhibit. hummm...C.E. has one serious fan club :) After a few minutes his son was able to help her out with a bottle of honey. One more person to add to the 220 tba members!? Here is dumpling giving it a whirl. Looking like a old pro already!

Loading the frames into the extractor. 6 frames at a time.

Cranking up the spinner -thankfully it had a motor, not a hand crank so It only took about 10 minutes to get all the honey out of the frames. Lifting the lid filled the room with the scent of warm honey.

Ahhh...Finally my favorite step- Turn the knob and let the honey out :) After one more screening (to remove bits of wax) then its ready to bottle.
-and Viola - honey for your breakfast table!