Inspecting a hive in a tree

Inspecting a hive in a tree, a set on Flickr - click on the link at the beginning to see the entire slideshow and not just these thumbnails.

The ancient way of keeping bees in Lithuania was to keep the bees in hollow trees. The beekeeper would hollow out the trunk to make enough room for the bees and cut an entrance that he/she could use to access the hive. It's a joke for me to say he/she because in ancient times all the beekeepers were male.

Romas showed us how he inspects the hives that he has at his place near the museum.

He also shared some honey comb with us that we all enjoyed. Everyone put on veils, including Lukas, our guide (he's in the brown t shirt).

Romas also showed us how he entices a swarm into the tree, as you will see in the photos.

Created with flickr slideshow.

Starting the smoker by Romas, the Beekeeper in Musteikiai, Lithuania

Starting the smoker by Romas, the Musteikiai, a set on Flickr.  Click on the link at the beginning of the sentence to see the entire slide show and not just these thumbnails.

Romas uses flint to start his smoker and a dried mushroom as his first fuel. He then stokes his smoker with dried wood chips. It was a fascinating process.


Created with flickr slideshow.

Beekeeper in Musteikiai Village

Beekeeper in Musteikiai Village, a set on Flickr.  Click on the link at the beginning of the first sentence to see the entire slide show instead of just these thumbnails.

On our second day in Lithuania, we visited Romas, a beekeeper who practices ancient ways of beekeeping in Musteikiai Village, very near the Poland and Belarus borders in southeast Lithuania.

These are photos of his museum and set up there.
Created with flickr slideshow.