Evenings in the Apiary: Why Jenna Never Stops Watching the Bees

For Jenna, the work doesn't end when the hive inspections are finished. As evening settles over the apiary, you'll often find her sitting quietly nearby with a sketchbook, a notebook full of ideas, and what she calls "Bee TV." It's one of her favorite parts of the day.

Learning by Watching

As thousands of foragers return home for the evening, the hive tells its own story. Flight patterns change, bees arrive carrying pollen, and the rhythm of the colony begins to slow. These quiet moments offer an opportunity to simply observe something every beekeeper can learn from.

For Jenna, they also inspire new ideas, from product sketches to future projects, all while staying closely connected to the bees that inspired Jeometry™ in the first place.

Watching for More Than Honey Bees

This season, there's another reason Jenna keeps a close eye on the apiary. Like many beekeepers across the Southeast, she's watching for signs of the yellow-legged hornet (YLH), an invasive predator first detected in North America near Savannah, Georgia, in 2023.

Yellow-legged hornets prey on honey bees and other beneficial pollinators, making early detection an important part of protecting healthy colonies. As the species continues to be monitored across the region, South Carolina beekeepers remain on the front lines of observation and education.

Every Evening Has Something to Teach

One of the beautiful things about beekeeping is that there's always something new to notice. Some evenings are spent sketching. Some are spent planning tomorrow's hive work. Others are simply spent watching bees come home after a long day of foraging.

No matter the task, these quiet moments remind us that beekeeping isn't only about what happens inside the hive. It's about slowing down, paying attention, and appreciating the incredible world that exists just outside the entrance. And for Jenna, there's no better seat than one beside the bees. 🐝💛