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.
Supers full of ripe, capped honey await extraction.
Supers full of ripe, capped honey await extraction.
Supers full of ripe, capped honey await extraction.
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013