Honey bees ripen nectar during the spring honey flow.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Nectar source makes a tremendous difference in honey color and taste. Here, a late summer wildflower blend (left) is contrasted with linden honey (right) harvested earlier in the season from the same hive.
Supers full of ripe, capped honey await extraction.
A beautiful frame of ripe, capped honey ready for harvest.
Crystallized honey can be made clear again by heating in a warm water bath.
Hive bees on freshly built comb during a major summer honey flow.
Nectar ripens into honey in open, uncapped cells.
Hive bees ripening nectar.
Hive bees ripening nectar.
Crystallized honey can be made clear again by heating in a warm water bath.
Crystallized honey can be made clear again by heating in a warm water bath.
Crystallized honey can be made clear again by heating in a warm water bath.
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013