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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: tillie on September 21, 2009, 07:09:40 pm

Title: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: tillie on September 21, 2009, 07:09:40 pm
I am so sad.  We've had tons of rain in Atlanta - many roads are flooded, creeks are jumping the bank.  The Blue Heron Preserve where I have hives with a friend of mine is located on the banks of Nancy Creek. 

I just drove by and everything is underwater and all seven beehives have washed away.  Poor bees.  I hate it that we didn't realize it would be so bad.  I wish I had known to go rescue them yesterday, although I think I couldn't have gotten into where the hives were even yesterday. 

It is a lake of brown floodwater with a few plants sticking up - all the hives are gone, gone, gone.  The Community Garden has completely washed away.  There wasn't even a dry place to pull off to take a picture.

So sad for those helpless bees.  Probably happened in the wee hours last night.

No question here - just wanted your sympathy.

Linda T very, very sad in Atlanta
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Sparky on September 21, 2009, 07:32:11 pm
Sorry to hear about your losses. It is said that mother natures plans do not always coinside with ours and sometime livestock, pets, homes and such are lost. Thank GOD that it was not you or another person that cannot be replaced.
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: iddee on September 21, 2009, 07:34:14 pm
 :'(   :'(    :'(    :'(    :'(
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: HAB on September 21, 2009, 07:55:30 pm
Such sad news.  I've been following their progress on your site all summer.  Know you were devastated. :'( :'(
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: fermentedhiker on September 21, 2009, 08:18:59 pm
 :imsorry:
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: tshnc01 on September 21, 2009, 08:23:02 pm
Linda,

From reading your blog, I know how thoughtfully you have cared for your bees.  I am so sorry.

...Tim
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Shawn on September 21, 2009, 08:33:38 pm
It seems not to long ago you guys were in the worst drought and now you are flooding. I am sorry to hear about the loss.
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: hardwood on September 21, 2009, 08:38:31 pm
 :'(
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: tillie on September 21, 2009, 08:40:02 pm
The whole thing makes me so sad and you all are so sweet to comment.  I just took my camera and drove down the road going south so that I could sit in the turn lane and take a couple of pictures.  I'm going to post them on my blog later.  It is a pitiful sight - and as I watched a white bench from the community garden floated downstream.

I was talking to Wade, another beekeeper there, and we both said how sad we were for the bees, but also that all of us beekeepers there have ways to make a living other than keeping bees and think of how it is to be a farmer, having a total loss at the hands of the weather.  So we are lucky.  

The bees weren't.  I looked hard at the trees wondering if they absconded but didn't see anything of note.  It's still raining and is supposed to tomorrow as well, but I'll keep checking the area to see if there are any bees clinging to trees.

LT feeling sad and small in a flooded city
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Kathyp on September 21, 2009, 08:40:18 pm
that sucks.  sorry to hear about it.
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Jack on September 21, 2009, 09:40:13 pm
What a great loss Tillie. I can only imagine how sad you feel. We must count our blessings and be thankful there are no lost lives. I hope you pick up from where you left off and keep up your good work on the informative web site you have as it has been an inspiration for many of us.

Best wishes,

Jack
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Pond Creek Farm on September 21, 2009, 09:56:03 pm
I know exactly how you feel.  Last year, my first in beekeeping, I lost all but one hive in a flood.  The one remaining was so seriously damaged that it did not survive the winter.  I felt horrible and responsible for things.  Our creek had never gotten that high before, but extraordinary rains produce extraordinary results.  What I thought was a great place, close to water and accessible to me turned out to be not so good.  I learned and moved my replacement hives to much higher ground.
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Schoon on September 21, 2009, 09:58:16 pm
Linda, sorry to hear about your bees.
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Robo on September 21, 2009, 10:00:39 pm
Linda,

Sorry to hear this, I know you cared for them like they where your children.   Although devastating, it will make you stronger and more determined.

Best of Luck,
Rob...
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: tillie on September 21, 2009, 10:01:05 pm
Between yesterday and this morning, we had 12 inches of rain.  Some places in Georgia got 22 inches!  What self-respecting creek could possibly stay in its bank?

After drought for several years, this seems entirely too plentiful.....

LT
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Gregg on September 21, 2009, 10:23:36 pm
Sorry about losing the hives
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: tillie on September 21, 2009, 10:29:37 pm
The good news is that my hives on my deck are fine - just really wet.  Every time the rain lets up the bees burst out of the hive for the few minutes they have before it starts again.  I'm grateful I didn't lose them and on my deck with my house located at the top of a hill, I won't.

I dread when the waters recede and Julia and I go looking around the debris for our hive boxes (or what's left of them).  The creek empties into a lake right after it leaves Blue Heron, so they are probably at the bottom of the lake.  I find myself wondering if the waters are strong enough to take away our cinder block stands.

Well, you know I'll let you know what the rest of the story is as it unfolds.  We've talked about looking in the neighboring trees for absconded bees, but I don't think they could have left - if the water came in the entrance and there's no top entrance, they wouldn't have a way to escape their drowning.

Linda T
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Jim134 on September 21, 2009, 10:35:03 pm
Glad your are OK :)  Sorry about losing the bees  :'( 


    BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: reinbeau on September 21, 2009, 11:06:11 pm
I'm so sorry, Linda.  From drought to floods.
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Bee-Bop on September 21, 2009, 11:30:50 pm
Linda;
Sorry for your loss.
I understand that the people working with the swamplands are overjoyed, they have been crying for years for rain.

Bee-Bop
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: JWPick on September 21, 2009, 11:33:25 pm
Sincere condolences Linda!  :'(
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: VTnewbee on September 22, 2009, 08:10:05 am
I'm so sorry you lost your hives.  That's heartbreaking!  Here's hoping you find a swarm or two after the waters recede!  (This is totally off the topic but I wanted to thank you for your great crush and strain video.  I did my first harvest ever this past weekend and all went great!)
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: MacfromNS on September 22, 2009, 08:15:09 am
I'm so so sorry for your loss. I'm glad that you did not get wiped right out , it will help take your mind off the ones you lost. :'(
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: BeeHopper on September 22, 2009, 09:20:08 am
Tillie,

Sorry for the loss  :(  but don't look back, Nature will do such things to test our Resolve  :-\  You'll bounce back  :)

BH
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: sc-bee on September 22, 2009, 09:31:37 am
Wow, sorry for your loss Linda. I knew ya'll were getting rain but had no idea! I didn't realize how much until I heard on the news today the schools were closed.

Best of luck in recovery!
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: tillie on September 22, 2009, 09:34:34 am
What a wonderful group this forum is - it is so dear of you to give me so much support and so many kind comments. 

Atlanta is a mess and people have died as well as roads and bridges collapsed.  We'll recover - it is the city of the phoenix - but it is a mess today and more rain on the way.

Linda T
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Irwin on September 22, 2009, 10:15:07 am
My heart go's out to you I'm sorry to hear about your loss :'(
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: charmd2 on September 22, 2009, 10:17:22 am
I've heard all the news reports, and it is so sad.  I'm sorry about your bees
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: vermmy35 on September 22, 2009, 10:33:56 am
Oh my, I am so, so sorry to hear about your losses.  That is a terrible thing that is going on down there, last year no rain and now this year way too much rain.  Keep your head up and I hope you get your hives back up and running soon. :-\
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: tillie on September 22, 2009, 10:42:34 am
Julia, my friend who also had hives at Blue Heron, just sent me a text that she and some friends are up to their knees in Nancy Creek over by Chastain Park and are rescuing hive boxes that got caught on the banks there as the creek is receding.  They have found and rescued my two yellow hive boxes and several white boxes but so far not her beautifully, artistically painted boxes with bees and leaves all on them.  Obviously no bees and I don't know if they found frames in the boxes or not.

I'm at work and can't help her, but it's amazing that they have found these boxes.

Linda T
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: luvin honey on September 22, 2009, 12:10:13 pm
That really, really stinks. It is so frustrating to go from one extreme to another, both of them destructive.

I'm glad you have the tiny bright point of finding some hive bodies!
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: ziffabeek on September 22, 2009, 12:30:21 pm
Oh no! I'm so sorry :(.  I live in Atlanta too and have been worried about the beehives around town.  Mine are at the back of our yard, but our ground is pretty high so they are doing ok.  I can't say the same for our basement.  I can't believe all of this water. 

I'm very sorry for your loss Tillie, I would still look for the bees.  You never know, wild things often know stuff we don't and maybe something told them to get out while they could.  Good luck to you and let us know how it ends up.

love,
Ziffa
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: tillie on September 22, 2009, 06:13:07 pm
Julia and I went over to Blue Heron. The water has receded and the creek is back in its banks.  I have never been so muddy - I don't think my beesuit will recover although I'm washing it in Chlorox!

We found her deep hive box in the bushes on the bank of the creek and my whole hive there....well the two hive bodies, anyway.  No bottom board, top, inner cover, etc.  The frames were PITIFUL.  Dead bees covered in mud head down in the frames and mud all over everything.

We had called Cindy Bee who told us that we should try to give the bees who were wandering around a home.  I took a nuc box with dry drawn frames and set it up on the cinder blocks - which were still there.  We put a quart of honey in a boardman feeder on the top of the hive to lure the homeless bees.  No worry about robbing now.

Julia put her hive full of muddy frames up with the top on it, but there was little capped honey in it and not many bees hanging around it.

We'll see what happens.  If we collect any bees, we'll bring them home and combine them with our home hives.

Linda T
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: bud1 on September 22, 2009, 08:40:35 pm
Mam; you send me a coupla oof those package boxes in early spring and I will send you a coupla swarms--
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: G3farms on September 22, 2009, 09:54:17 pm
bud1 you are the man, now that is the spirit of this board.

miss linda sorry to hear of you losses, just remember spring is not far off and you can start all over, at least you found some of the wooden ware. everything will work itself out.

G3
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: tillie on September 22, 2009, 11:54:41 pm
I've put a post on the blog if anyone wants to see pictures:

http://beekeeperlinda.blogspot.com/2009/09/homes-for-homeless-bees.html

Linda T
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Michael Judd on September 22, 2009, 11:58:40 pm
Linda,
I am very sorry for you and your bees.
you have given so much pleasure with your site and confidence we all feel for you
love
Michael
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: annette on September 23, 2009, 12:34:19 am
Linda

You know how I sympathize with your loss.  You started beekeeping the same month and year as me. You have been a great source of inspiration to me all these years and I have copied so many of your beekeeping techniques.

You are a very sensitive women and I know you must be imagining how the poor bees struggled through this tragedy. That is how my mind would be working for sure. 

I wish you much strength and peace of mind to continue on your beekeeping journey and to overcome the sadness you are feeling right now.

Sincerely
Annette
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Lone on September 27, 2009, 04:40:23 am
Hello Tillie,

Sorry to hear about your bees.  We are 6 months ahead of you, and the floods at the beginning of the year have just left a few marks such as patched up roads, the first cattle ticks here for years, a full hay shed, and now a potentially very bad bushfire season.  The water must also have revived the trees, and the malaleuca certainly blossomed well.

At the time, people were getting bridge fever because they couldn't get to the next town.  The mayor ordered in supplies as soon as the railroad was fixed, and all that was brought in on the train were cases of beer and a saddle.  He was riled, but it was funny at the time.  A beehive was also found in a tree.  The river came up to the second highest mark since records were taken.

The old fellows here remember the good wet seasons from their childhood, when it rained for 6 weeks without hardly stopping.  They know where to place the hives away from the floods, and they look in disbelief when someone builds a house in a flood zone.  It was sad at the time with the bees unable to bring in supplies, because they would all wash away.  I didn't know if they would get through it.  I'll show you a couple of photos from the rainy time, and a photo from now. 

(http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/5659/wetbeeweb1.th.jpg) (http://img23.imageshack.us/i/wetbeeweb1.jpg/)


(http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/1788/robertscreekweb091.th.jpg) (http://img23.imageshack.us/i/robertscreekweb091.jpg/)


(http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/7992/dscn1375zl.th.jpg) (http://img195.imageshack.us/i/dscn1375zl.jpg/)

I'm not sure how much rain we had.  If I can find the record, I might add it up for you.  I hope you can get some new hives going.

Lone
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: hollybees on September 27, 2009, 01:30:48 pm
Linda,
Those pictures are hard to look at, I can't imagine what it must be like to have witnessed it 1st hand.

What will you do to rebuild? Is there higher ground or would a higher platform work.

I would be willing to contribute some supers.
Good Luck to you and I'm sorry for your losses!

Paul

Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: tillie on September 27, 2009, 02:27:03 pm
We're thinking about re-thinking the platform.  The hives were each on two single cinder blocks - maybe taller (2 cinder blocks high) next year and maybe not so close to the creek.  The director has suggested that the hives might move closer to the community garden which would keep them farther from the creek and on slightly higher ground.

We had a lot of rain last night and I found myself checking the USGS page that measures the height of Nancy Creek.  I think I'm going to get more familiar.  If any one of us had thought of the possibility of flooding, we would have gotten the hives out of there.  We could have looked at the gauge for the flood height - it's measured literally right by the hives in Nancy Creek.

My parents live on 16 acres of creek bottom land in Mississippi - my father did not build his house on a rock!  And in their location it is common for the creek to "jump the bank."   After a heavy rain in Natchez, it isn't unusual to look out of the house to see water.  I'm surprised I wasn't more tuned in as a result, but it never crossed my mind that the creek at Blue Heron might rise.

Oh, well, live and learn.  And it was a 100 year flood - so the chances are 1 % for it happening again any time soon.

Linda T
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: contactme_11 on September 28, 2009, 01:26:12 pm
Linda, I live in a flood zone and a few of my hives are located here. I can't imagine dealing with that, it's got to be extremely discouraging. My woodware sales have really taken off and I'd be happy to donate and send you some equipment to help you get it all back together.
Nathan
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: annette on September 28, 2009, 03:47:22 pm
Wow Nathan

That is extremely nice of you to do that for Tillie. I can't wait for her to see your post

Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: ziffabeek on September 28, 2009, 03:53:46 pm
I agree, both Bud1 and Nathan, how very very cool of you!
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: sarafina on September 28, 2009, 05:44:27 pm
I am so sorry for your loss, Linda.  I have learned SO MUCH from your videos you took the time to make and willingly share - the wax tube fastener, crush & strain, solar wax melter.

You have made me think differently about siting our bees when we move to Arkansas in a few years.  We will probably locate them in the meadow that floods about every 10-20 years.  Since the cinder blocks didn't budge I was thinking about keeping some spare cinder blocks on hand and just raise the hives up if it starts flooding.  I think that would be easier than moving them up the hill, but that is another possibility.  I am only 5' 2" so I can't keep them stacked high all the time or I wouldn't be able to work them.

Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Bee Happy on September 28, 2009, 05:50:19 pm
I'm sorry for your losses Linda, It's not hard to see among beekeepers where the girls rank as pets.  Good that you're taking precautions and moving them closer to the garden you mentioned. 1% chance is a small figure, but nature has a way of messing with the averages by eliciting the 1% thrice in 3 months in a row then waiting another 300 years. or not.
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Mason on September 28, 2009, 06:10:24 pm
Minuscule problem when some have their refrigerators floating down the same stream.

Since I am from New Orleans originally and have several friends here in GA now as well that have lost everything to the flood I am not so sympathetic to a few lost bees.   

The bee hives can be replaced.  Just replace them.  Feel fortunate that you did not lose all of your family photos and keepsakes not to mention your home or life. 

Unfortunately sometimes people need to experience great loss before they appreciate what they have.  You should be happy it was the bees home washed away and not yours.

Priorities people...............

Don't pet the sweaty things



 
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: buzzbee on September 28, 2009, 06:26:13 pm
Mason,
Just because you are not sympathetic to all the hard work several people put into this community project doesn't mean they have their priorities screwed up.
I am sure many of the people involved with the project at that park would be the first to lend a hand to those they know that are truly in need.
I do not believe Linda was asking for a hand out,she was just commenting on the loss of the volunteer project.
 I really see no reason for you to come in and dump on this thread. The people commenting here have followed Lindas blog and feel they know Linda personally.Most of us have a a glimpse of Lindas life the past few years and are proud of the many efforts she has put forth over the last few years. We will continue to support a good friend and good asset to our forum.
 And I know you would also have received the same support if it would have been your project washed away.I feel sorry for anyone that has losses in natural disasters. So I don't feel any of the posters in this thread should feel bad about giving moral support to another member.
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: iddee on September 28, 2009, 06:45:20 pm
Hey, Mason, who gives a dippy doo about the people that lost their homes and belongings that they enjoyed for years. There's millions around the world that never had them to begin with. If you are only going to feel bad for the worst off ones, then don't give a second thought to the US of A. We have it made, even with the natural disasters.

Now put that in your pipe and smoke it, and see how it makes your post sound.
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Bee Happy on September 28, 2009, 06:57:11 pm
I actually have a hard time feeling sorry for New Orleanians who didn't evacuate. Years and years (like 15) before Katrina; I had cajuns telling me that when "the big one" hit, N.O. would be totally devastated or gone altogether. they didn't know hours in advance of Katrina - they knew YEARS in advance of katrina. There is no way you can tell me with that being a very common topic of conversation for ages prior that somehow a storm the size and power of katrina bearing down on  - lets just say - the delta AREA, that the people in new orleans wouldn't be going about saying "THIS IS THE BIG ONE WE'VE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT!" I don't know the specifics of their screwed up mayor - but I think the simplest of morons on issuing an evacuation order for a city that size would go to work relocating everyone they could with a very strong focus on relocating people who couldn't relocate themselves.
  All the stuff they bought - surely in the back of their minds they knew it was gone in the face of 'the big one'. Well 'the big one' came, and a lot of new orleanians seem to think it's someone else's fault. 

EDIT: I apologize for going off thread,and for seeming insensitive; no suffering or anguish delights me.
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Kathyp on September 28, 2009, 07:11:50 pm
when ever someone loses something in which they have invested time and effort, it is sad.   an old man who loses his dog, his best friend, will go through more of a grieving process than someone who has their dishwasher float away.  an old lady who has all her memories and mementos burn up in a house fire, will mourn the loss even if most of the house is saved. a child who's favorite stuffed animal is lost in a flood can not be comforted.

 linda has put a huge effort into her bees.  she has taken time to do her very best for them, keep a wonderful blog, and educate others on what she has learned.  the loss of her bees must be a great loss for her.

mason, i understand the point of your post, but perhaps it was a post that did not need to be made?

Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: buzzbee on September 28, 2009, 07:32:30 pm
Please folks,lets let this thread get back on track,i didn"t want to detract too much from the original thread. The intention was not to start a new side topic.Lets stay civil and respect one another.Thanks
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: tillie on September 28, 2009, 08:01:44 pm
Dear Sweet People of this forum,

You are all a marvelous bunch.  I wrote about our tragedy in Atlanta because all of you love bees and I knew people in this group would understand how sad I was/am.  

I in no way intended to minimize the personal losses people always feel in catastrophe - losses of much greater enormity than bees and equipment.  I grew up on the Mississippi River and was often aware and affected by the many hurricanes - Camille, Avery, and many others that made their way up the river and petered out in Natchez.  My parents housed people after Katrina. My uncle and cousins lived in New Orleans and some of them lost their homes in Katrina.

I also was not asking for a handout - although many people have made generous offers of money and equipment - some back channel, some like Bud1 and Nathan - on this thread.  That generosity simply confirms for me what I know about everyone in this group - that we all love the bees, feel invested in their welfare and suffer together when something goes wrong.

I'm not going to accept the lovely offers of equipment - it is so expensive to ship - if someone in Atlanta offered or someone on a way that I might travel, I'd take them up on it....we all lost a lot in the flood....but mostly I hear the offers as representing the great generosity of spirit that exists in this group and which I treasure.

Among friends here, I thought I could say that this was so hard and you all would understand - which you have.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  

Linda T in Atlanta, full of your warmth and caring
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: buzzbee on September 28, 2009, 08:12:15 pm
Linda,
Hold your head high as you can be proud of all that you have accomplished. Your blog and videos have helped so many that I think it would be hard to count.I hope to see you rebuild what has been lost,and touch some peoples lives that otherwise may not have had the opportunity to learn about the bees.We will all be anxiously awating to follow along here and on your blog as you and your group renew in the spring.
I appreciate all you have done and will be awaiting news of the new beginning.
I say to all of the members here: Give a big hand to Linda!! :) X:X
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: hardwood on September 28, 2009, 08:25:24 pm
 X:X X:X X:X Go Linda! If you ever make it to central Fl, I'd be happy to chip in a box or two!

Scott
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Bozoshoes on September 28, 2009, 11:48:32 pm
Ok, Now the question! Would most of the bees have survived if you had top entrances or lifted the tops with a wedge or hive entrance reducer in advance of the flooding? Mind you I'm not being critical, just asking a question. I'm also very sorry about your loss of so many bees.
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: tillie on September 29, 2009, 12:02:37 am
We've wondered about that - Julia's hive had a ventilated screen inner cover which is in effect a top entrance and her bees didn't get out.  Some of the other beekeepers had their tops propped open.  I had closed mine to avoid small hive beetle issues and because I was feeding my bees and didn't want robbing to occur. 

The flood happened between midnight and sunrise so probably the bees didn't have a chance to leave even if they did have top entrances.  The water rushed in, toppled the hives and that was that.

Next year I plan to be more mindful of the weather, the creek water level and the hive location relative to the creek.  Probably I'll be more conscious about leaving the top open as well.

LT in Atlanta
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: JP on September 29, 2009, 05:42:53 am
Linda, I've just read through this post. So sorry for the delay and so sorry for your losses. I'm pming you. Will be more than glad to help you re-stock.


...JP
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Mason on September 29, 2009, 12:41:58 pm
I suppose I am forced to reply to the attacks.  Yes,  your hives being washed away is interesting news especially for the people who have been following the blog but it is really no big deal.  The insect world is brutal.  Accepting this IS moral support.  What was gained from the hard work was not flooded.  The knowledge remains and the wood and bees can be replaced easily. The knowledge and experience was the gain not the wood and bees.

Quote
Hey, Mason, who gives a dippy doo about the people that lost their homes and belongings that they enjoyed for years. There's millions around the world that never had them to begin with. If you are only going to feel bad for the worst off ones, then don't give a second thought to the US of a. We have it made, even with the natural disasters.

Now put that in your pipe and smoke it, and see how it makes your post sound.

Sorry,  I can not affect the world but merely the people close to me.  If everyone did the same people close to failing cultures abroad might not be in such a bad way.  I am also not "on the pipe".

Quote
I actually have a hard time feeling sorry for New Orleanians who didn't evacuate. Years and years (like 15) before Katrina; I had cajuns telling me that when "the big one" hit, N.O. would be totally devastated or gone altogether

Katrina missed New Orleans.  It actually hit 100 miles east in at Bay St. Louis MS.  The people who chose to stay were just stupid.  Still it is pretty sad to see people who have worked all their lives lose EVERYTHING including things that can not be replaced like pet dogs, cats and family treasures.  New Orleans is a flood risk.  By your logic everyone should evacuate California and all coastal regions for that matter.  Living in fear is not really living.

Linda,  just get some more bees.  It stinks they got flooded but it is really no big deal.  All that was lost was the least thing in beekeeping....the bees and hives.  Your work, the experience and achievement are not lost.  I am in Atlanta.  If you need some built out frames, bees or anything I may have let me know and I'll run them by but no crying. 

 

 



Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Kathyp on September 29, 2009, 01:08:46 pm
 :-D

mason, i have a feeling that you and i were popped out of the same crusty mold.  i also have a feeling that under the crust is a good heart.  try not to dig yourself to china before others have a chance to understand that.  i have put my shovel aside for a garden trowel in the hopes that i will not make it to Beijing before i am known.  try it :-)
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Mason on September 29, 2009, 04:24:29 pm
Boxes and bees are the least thing I have gained from beekeeping and therefore the easiest thing to replace.  Am I wrong for valuing the knowledge gained and the experience of beekeeping more than boxes and bees?

Not only did much of my family return to N.O. to complete loss but I have also spent the last 3 days helping a friend haul wet sheet rock and rotten food out of his house.  So by comparison a couple of wooden boxes is not the traumatic.  Sorry. 

Those of you that bashed me for my post just don't get it.  To accuse the people who choose live in New Orleans of being stupid for living there would also have to make the same accusation of anyone on the coast, California, the pacific northwest, the rocky mountains or even the plains for living near their respective natural threats.

So easy for people to just take the PC easy out.  Bees are not very politically correct.  The sick weak and no longer useful are banished and killed.  Insects in general are brutal.  Maybe there is a lesson there.

Linda,  I know losing your bees stinks.  It is relevant to this form and your blog.  I live in Marietta and my hives did not get flooded.  If you need a few built out frames and some bees just let me know.  I know it must be frustrating to have lost your bees but the important thing is that you hopefully had a good time,  learned something and maybe got some honey.

Boxes and bees are easily replace.   
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: iddee on September 29, 2009, 04:44:22 pm
If a teenager gets killed while speeding in a car, you don't tell the parent "You should have taught the brat how to drive within the law".

It wasn't what was said in your post, it was the fact it didn't need to be said, and was done in a very crass way. You can post what you want, but the damage has been done and it can't be taken back. Some things just should not be spoken, whether true or not.
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Mason on September 29, 2009, 06:11:40 pm
what?

I placed no blame on anyone. 

Really....your comparing the loss of a child to the loss of a couple of bee hives?   

Of course you have done a marvelous job of proving my point. 

Thank You

Linda just basically said she lost her hives to a flood....bummer.  A relevant post for this form about hive location etc.  That's how we learn.  Some others decided that it was a trauma to end all traumas and launched a big pity party.  I called you out on it because it is NOT.  It's just another day of beekeeping and another experience we can all learn from.





Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: BjornBee on September 29, 2009, 06:40:30 pm
 :pop:
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Kathyp on September 29, 2009, 06:42:39 pm
 :-D  if they were my boys, i'd make them clean the barn, then do laps in the arena.   :evil:
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: BoBn on September 29, 2009, 07:10:29 pm
We're thinking about re-thinking the platform.  The hives were each on two single cinder blocks - maybe taller (2 cinder blocks high) next year and maybe not so close to the creek.
Linda T

tillie, thanks for your eloquent writing on your blog.  Sorry for your loss.   I think that Planning for that 100 year flood makes sense.

Quote from: Mason
Linda just basically said she lost her hives to a flood....bummer.  a relevant post for this form about hive location etc.  That's how we learn.  Some others decided that it was a trauma to end all traumas and launched a big pity party.  I called you out on it because it is NOT.  It's just another day of beekeeping and another experience we can all learn from.

Mason, did you ever have a dog that got poisoned, or lose a bunch of chickens (that you knew by name) to coyote, or have geese killed by owls, or sheep killed by dogs, or ducks killed by a pair of foxes, or a cat run over by a car?

That was part of growing up with my kids and family.  Yes, we didn't lose a child, but we still had some losses that we had to get over.
 

 



Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: iddee on September 29, 2009, 08:16:09 pm
>>>>Really....your comparing the loss of a child to the loss of a couple of bee hives?<<<<

No, I'm saying the proper response to anyone grieving for any reason is NOT, "Tough titty, Miss Kitty. Get over it."

Now, if you don't get it, I doubt you ever will, so I'm gone. I won't post again about it.   
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Lone on October 03, 2009, 10:02:50 am
Hello Tillie,

I added it up tonight and we had something like 33.5 inches of rain in 44 days between the 27th of December and mid May.  A lot of that was continuous rain.  The flooding down the Burdekin River came from areas of higher rainfall.  Now it's just about another record for the most days with no rainfall.

Tully, on the coast NE of here, generally shares the Golden Gumboot Award with Babinda, but the gumboot is quite big so I think it stays in Tully now.

There have been dust storms from the West over the past couple of weeks.  An old timer down the street reckons there will be floods again this wet season, because in 1945 dust storms preceeded the big floods of '46.  We'll know in a few months if he's right!

Lone
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: slaphead on October 03, 2009, 01:50:04 pm
Hi Tillie,

So sorry to hear of the loss of the Blue Heron bees.  It's hard to comprehend the magnitude of the floods in your area.

Wishing you well,

SH
Title: Re: Flooding in Atlanta washes away beehives
Post by: Mason on December 22, 2009, 04:32:46 pm
Just so everyone knows I am a good sport.  All my bees died this past weekend of mysterious causes.  I started a new thread about it but so far the cause is inconclusive. 

For the record:  I am bummed out about losing my bees but already have more ordered and planning to try again this spring.  I feel I have learned a great deal,  have more equipment and precious built out comb so still way ahead of where I started. Those of you that felt I was a jerk can say karma caught up with me.  For those that understood what I was trying to say will understand that I indeed had conviction to my comments.

Cheers