Author Archives: Ron Miksha

About Ron Miksha

Ron Miksha is a bee ecologist working at the University of Calgary. He is also a geophysicist and does a bit of science writing and blogging. Ron has worked as a radio broadcaster, a beekeeper, and Earth scientist. (Ask him about seismic waves.) He's based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Ron has written two books, dozens of magazine and journal articles, and complements his first book, Bad Beekeeping, with the blog at badbeekeepingblog.com. Ron wrote his most recent book, The Mountain Mystery, for everyone who has looked at a mountain and wondered what miracles of nature set it upon the landscape. For more about Ron, including some cool pictures taken when he was a teenager, please check Ron's site: miksha.com.

Better Hives: Dzierzon’s Boxes

Posted on January 16, 2021 by Ron Miksha

Here in North America, we believe that modern beekeeping began with Langstroth, who discovered bee-space and movable frames. But Europeans are celebrating the Polish beekeeper, Johannes Dzierzon, for the same accomplishments. On the continent, it’s Dzierzon, Dzierzon, Dzierzon, everywhere you … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, History, Hives and Combs, People | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Face-off

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Ron Miksha

I was one of the first Facebook users on my block. I’m not usually an “early adapter” – I let others struggle with beta versions, then I move in when the system is actually working. But I heard about Facebook … Continue reading →

Posted in Outreach, Personal, Strange, Odd Stuff | 21 Comments

Resolutions

Posted on January 1, 2021 by Ron Miksha

Most of my New Years’ days have passed without resolutions. This year, I resolved, would be different. Along with the typical (exercise more and eat less), the necessary (write more), the obvious (finish that grad degree), the impossible (learn Hungarian), … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Ecology, Native Bees, Personal, Save the Bees | Tagged , | 6 Comments

2020 Rewind

Posted on December 31, 2020 by Ron Miksha

Like an unruly house guest staying far past midnight (and still visiting the liquor cabinet), 2020 should have left long ago.  It’s a year we won’t forget.  A hurricane in an earthquake, delivering volcanic pyroclasts. Our 14-year-old will forever remember … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Strange, Odd Stuff | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Visit the UK National Honey Show – Free!

Posted on October 21, 2020 by Ron Miksha

I’ve always wanted to visit the UK National Honey Show, renowned as the ultimate in honey judging. But, it’s in the UK and I’m in Canada. Well, because of COVID-19, the event has moved on-line and we all have a … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Culture, or lack thereof, Hive Products, Honey | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Ready for the cold?

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Ron Miksha

Podcasts continue to grow in popularity. People are spending about two hours each day following the wise musings of their favourite word-weavers. I heard that Joe Rogan signed with Spotify for $100,000,000 (though he’s locked in for ten years). I … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Tools and Gadgets | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Frosted Honey

Posted on October 11, 2020 by Ron Miksha

My cousin, who lives in Europe, sent me the photograph above. She was wondering what had gone wrong with her honey – and how she could fix it. First, I have to wonder if this is something ‘wrong’. Honey with … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Friends, Honey | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Covid: Saturday at the Hive

Posted on July 18, 2020 by Ron Miksha

Our local bee club (Calgary & District Beekeepers Association)  coordinates a nice summertime event, Saturday at the Hive. Experienced beekeepers offer to show their colonies to newer beekeepers. The guest list is limited and cleared through the bee club, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Bee Yards, Friends, Outreach | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Covid: How we got our bees

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Ron Miksha

Some really unusual things have been going on in the bee world since the advent of Covid-19. These include a big setback for beekeepers in my community and the rescue of stranded Canadians in Central America – a rescue performed … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Commercial Beekeeping, Pollination | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Don’t Step on a Bee Day

Posted on July 10, 2020 by Ron Miksha

There’s a day for everything. Today is Don’t Step on a Bee Day. See if you can keep it up all week!

Posted in Humour, Save the Bees | Tagged | 3 Comments