Urban Pollinators

I’ve written about the birds and the bees before, since the perhaps-future-site of 45 Lansing is currently home to a field of flowers with a few beehives tossed in for good measure.

My husband and daughter recently had the chance to visit another beehive site in the SOMA neighborhood, and actually see the beekeeper handle the bees. Best of all, my husband took some wonderful photos which you see below.

(click on any photo below for a larger version)

I’m not sure if I’m allowed to give away the specific location of this particular beehive, so I’m going to keep it secret unless I’m told otherwise.

I will tell you, however, that the gentleman you see handling the bees is none other than Bryon Waibel, who just recently reopened Her Majesty’s Secret Beekeeper, which is the only urban beekeeping store in America! The store is located at 3520 20th Street in the Mission district.  The current store hours are: Wednesday – Friday, Noon-7pm and also Saturday and Sunday from 11am-7pm.

I’ll confess that I really don’t know much (anything) about beekeeping, but I’ve picked up a few of the honeys that are available from the SF farmer’s market that are harvested from specific hives in particular areas of town. It is amazing and incredible to note the subtle flavor differences based on the bee’s diet and hive location. If you’ve been living off of supermarket honey, you owe it to yourself to track down some of the “good stuff” and at least try it once. It isn’t cheap (hey, what in San Francisco is?) but I say it is totally worth it.

So support our urban pollinators, urban beekeepers, and all that brings the winnie-the-pooh goodness of a honey jar. And if you do stop by the beekeeper store, be sure to tell them that Matt and Britton sent you over!