Today I had - for the first time - the experience of gazing through a good
(Zeiss) dissecting microscope aimed at the tracheae of a bee with acarine.
 
An amazing and in some ways a very beautiful sight.
 
Inasmuch as I have been told that I have some mites by a dissecting
service to which I sent a sample lAST FALL, I am going to have to sample
SERIOUSLY this fall and decide whether to treat.
 
Being the impatient and untrusting soul that I am, I will want to have
the disection done on our premises.
 
Therefore I am thinking I would like to obtain such a binocular
microscope.
 
I realise that I could probably use a cheap microscope - or even a strong
glass or loupe - but I can see that an hour or so of such work would be
torture, especially knowing that such a fine device exists.
 
So, I wonder what recommendations the more experienced beekeepers or the
scientists might offer in finding one at a good price.  I am not even
adverse to obtaining a used one.  Cost is a strong consideration.
 
Please anyone who can offer advice or a used dissecting microscope, email
me.
 
If there is anything of interest to the list, I will of course summarise
to BEE-L.
 
Allen
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                        VE6CFK
Rural Route One   Swalwell   Alberta   Canada  T0M 1Y0
Email:   [log in to unmask]    or   [log in to unmask]
Futures, Art & Honey:http://www.cuug.ab.ca:8001/~dicka