Plain Talk: Seeing The Light (278)

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew reflects on the contrast between light and darkness—both in beekeeping and in life.

Recorded in the bee yard on a meaningful personal day, Jim shares a quiet, thoughtful conversation that begins with remembrance and transitions into observation. As spring unfolds and colonies build, he considers one of the enduring mysteries of honey bees: how they function so effectively within the complete darkness of the hive.

Jim explores how bees move between two radically different environments—bright sunlight during foraging and total darkness inside the colony. Without relying on vision, bees navigate, communicate, care for brood, and construct comb using tactile senses, pheromones, and behavioral cues. He raises questions about how much we truly understand about these processes and what remains hidden from observation.

The discussion expands to consider how beekeepers themselves affect this environment. Opening a hive introduces sudden light into a space where developing bees have never experienced it. Jim reflects on whether this disruption has consequences—drawing on past advice about protecting young larvae from direct sunlight—and wonders what other subtle effects might go unnoticed.

Along the way, Jim connects these ideas to broader reflections on nature, including other creatures that live in darkness and even the unseen workings within the human body. The episode closes with thoughts on the beauty of spring, the resilience of bees, and the value of simply sitting in the apiary and observing.

This episode is less about answers and more about curiosity—inviting listeners to consider what we don’t yet understand about honey bees and the world they inhabit.

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Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee’s mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

We’d like to thank Vita Bee Health for supporting the podcast. Vita provides proven tools for controlling Varroa—from Apistan and Apiguard to the new VarroxSan extended-release oxalic acid strips—helping beekeepers keep stronger, healthier colonies.

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Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

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