Author Archives: Ron Miksha

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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.

PolliNation Podcast

Posted on May 18, 2017 by Ron Miksha

Here’s a great new podcast. I’ve just listened to the first episode (twice!). If all the future episodes will be as good as Episode 1, PolliNation will be a great resource and a fun listen for beekeepers.  Since beekeepers spend … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecology, Friends, Outreach, Pollination, Save the Bees | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

A One-Minute Mukibrain Bee Break

Posted on May 17, 2017 by Ron Miksha

Here’s another delightful video from our friend at Mukibrain. Muki, a talented videographer, artist, film-maker, BMX acrobat (since age 12), and Cirque du Soleil performer, has a thing for flowers and bees. Tempo of Bees is a short and sweet … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Movies | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Grade Six Kids’ Mite Detector Invention

Posted on May 16, 2017 by Ron Miksha

What’s with kids who develop tools to attack mites and save bees?  A few weeks ago, I wrote about a group of Spanish youngsters on their way to Australia to compete in an international meet with their invention that may … Continue reading →

Posted in Diseases and Pests, Save the Bees, Tools and Gadgets | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Bee Rustling Undone

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Ron Miksha

Ever been robbed? I have. It’s a pretty sick feeling when you realize that someone has broken in and taken your stuff.  Imagine how a Montana beekeeper felt when he entered his apiary to work his bees but almost 500 … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Commercial Beekeeping, Pollination | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Field School at the Bees

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Ron Miksha

Last weekend, the Calgary bee club’s introductory beekeeping course wrapped up with our field school section. After 2 full days (15 hours!) of instruction, participants had a chance to observe, study, touch, and ask questions about the innards of live … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends, Outreach, Tools and Gadgets | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Metallica’s Beekeeper

Posted on May 13, 2017 by Ron Miksha

Last year, I wrote about the indomitable guitar man and bee guy Steve Vai. He’s a master of the strings and knows few equals. He’s also quite an experienced beekeeper.  Now it’s Mr Metallica, James Hetfield, who draws my beely … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, People, Stings | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

International Workers’ Day

Posted on May 1, 2017 by Ron Miksha

My home city of Calgary celebrated May Day (International Workers’ Day) by welcoming 1,176,334 foreign workers into our community last night, doubling our population. 196 packages of worker bees had arrived. A swarm of Calgary beekeepers greeted the immigrants. (The … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Ecology, Friends | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Fishing Bait That Eats Plastic

Posted on April 30, 2017 by Ron Miksha

Hundreds of diseases and pests attack honey bees. One of the oldest known hive invaders is the wax moth. Aristotle had trouble keeping them out of his hives so maybe you do, too.  Wax moths come in two flavours – … Continue reading →

Posted in Bee Biology, Beekeeping, Diseases and Pests, Science, Strange, Odd Stuff | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Billy Bee and Doyon – Canadian Honey Forever

Posted on April 27, 2017 by Ron Miksha

Professional Canadian beekeepers know the names of honey packers Jack Grossman and Paul Doyon. Jack started Billy Bee Honey; Paul’s label was regional (mostly Quebec) and his product was/is called Miel Doyon. During the 1970s and 1980s, I sold honey … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Honey | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Burt’s Cabin Tour

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Ron Miksha

Burt Shavitz, of Burt’s Bees, died two years ago. A photographer (for Life and Time) from Manhattan, he settled near Bangor, Maine, in the 1960s. There, he discovered beekeeping. Although Maine is one of the worst places in North America … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Hive Products, People, Strange, Odd Stuff | Tagged , , | 3 Comments