"Keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams."
-Henry David Thoreau
Hello, my name is Shelli.
Keeping bees and learning about our local pollinators has been a long-time passion of mine.
Here is more about me....
I received my first bees in the beginning of Covid.
April 2020.
I was taking a beginning beekeeping class in person that was paused due to the circumstances, so I had neve been inside of a beehive before I got my own.
I was definitely in over my head and lost my first hive before
Thanksgiving of 2020!
BUMMER!
I am a determined women that does not take
failure as an option.
So each year I learn more and become a better beekeeper.
Expanding my knowledge and apiary.
I like to use traditional Langstroth style hives, 10 frame.
I run double deep brood chambers and use mediums for honey supers.
I prefer to torch the wood to preserve it and dip it in a wax/resin mix to give the hive body a more natural look instead of the standard bee box white.
I personally try to not use a smoker when working with my bees.
GASP!
I know!
There is a time and place to use a smoker and I don't think that is at every hive inspections.
Be gentle to your bees and the will reciprocate.
You can expect to hear me singing and talking to the hive while I work with them. Giving them a gentle breath of air to get them to move usually does the trick.
Like blowing on hot soup.
My style of beekeeping is more Bee-Centric.
Not focusing so much on honey production, but more on the health
and sustainability of the bees and their habitats.
In 2023 I had an amazing opportunity to travel to France and study with
Ariella Daly of Beekeeping in Skirts at Sol Henge Aquitaine
https://www.sarita-sol.com/solhenge-retreat-space-in-aquitaine-france
It had a profound effect on how I tended to the bees and myself.
If you are interested in learning more about her teachings, follow the
I also prefer to go bare handed or use mechanic gloves when I am doing hive inspections.
Those gloves have texture on the tips to provide a solid grip for my small hands.
Education:
2026 marks my 4th year in the Colorado State Beekeepers Association,
Master Beekeeping Program.
https://coloradobeekeepers.org/education/general-information-and-applications/
I am in year 3 of the Journeyman Level.
I have taken microscope workshops taught by
Zac Lamas
https://orise.orau.gov/usda-ars/profiles/zachary-lamas.html
and University of Colorado's very own Dr. Sammy Ramsey
https://www.ramseyresearchfoundation.org/
I have also had the pleasure of listing to
Dr. Juliana Rangel of Texas A&M Honey Bee Lab
present about the food and nutrition our bees are receiving
through crop mono culture.
As well as many other researchers in the industry.
I am also studying Master Melittology at
Oregon State University Extension
I recently took a bee taxonomy class in January of 2026 at OSU
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/master-melittologist
Over the years I see a deep need to know about ALL THE BEES!
NOT JUST HONEY!
I believe that if I have a better knowledge of our native and non-native bees
(European Apis-mellifera) that I can help others understand why they are both important to save and protect.
Associations & Memberships
American Association of Professional Apiculturists
American Beekeeping Federation
Colorado State Beekeepers Association
(2025-26 Board Member Advisor)
Boulder County Beekeepers Association
Northern Colorado Beekeepers Association
National Honey Board
Colorado Proud Producer
Honey Sommelier
Honey is produced from many regions around the world.
Some of these regions offer honey made from one floral source, such as Fireweed, Buckwheat, borage, avocado, coriander, orange blossom, lavender, clover and blueberry to name a few.
Each of these have different flavor and scent notes to
create a distinct taste and unique taste.
In 2022 Marina Marchese
I took Marinas course "How to taste honey like a sommelier."
Over 4 days I learned how to use all of my senses to taste different honey verities. It was eye opening to see how many variables there are in honey.
From the color, to the scent and texture, each one has their own distinct flavor profile.
If you are interested in hosting a honey tasting event, please contact me to create a fun evening tasting honey.
Fun idea for a bachelorette party and a unique experience!
I have a variety of honeys local and internationally
970-310-7774
Honey Judge
June 2025 I took an Introductory weekend long course taught by
Mr. Brutz English and Mr. Steve Genta
Please reach out if you are looking for a judge for your local county fair or event.
970-310-7774
Photography
I opened Shelli Quattlebaum Photography in 2011
www.shelliquattlebaumphotography.com
I spent many years traveling around Colorado and abroad to Mexico and Ireland to photograph weddings.
I still have the passion for photography, not so much the wedding part.
Now I take my fancy camera to the apiary with me to capture unique perspective of the bees.
I have been published in Bee Culture Magazine and
The American Bee Journal
This image is the current the cover of Bee Culture Magazines annual calendar.
https://www.beeculture.com/the-2024-calendar-is-here/
If you are interested in using one of my images for a speaking engagement or publication, please reach out.
Mountain States Bumblebee Atlas
https://www.bumblebeeatlas.org/
If you love the outdoors, citizen science and hiking.....
I have a new hobby for you!
What is the Bumble Bee Atlas?
The Atlas is a community (aka citizen or participatory) science project aimed at gathering the data needed to track and conserving bumble bees. The information that we have suggests that many species of bumble bees face an uncertain future, but we lack the data needed to implement effective conservation measures, especially at the regional scale. "Community science" means anyone is welcome to participate and help contribute to a better understanding of bumble bee needs.
How does the Atlas work?
Community scientists, like yourself, spread out across one of our project states to survey for bumble bees and report back whatever they find! To help these efforts, we offer workshops that provide you with all of the necessary skills, knowledge and confidence to run surveys independently. Surveys can be run on your own or with a group of people! Survey methods are catch-and-release, so no bees are harmed. All you need to participate is an insect net, some vials, a decent camera (including many cell phones), and access to the internet to submit your data.
To gather this data at the scale we need to inform our conservation work, we will need widespread participation. The success of the Atlas will come from land owners, agencies, scientists and you joining together to understand the needs of bumble bees.
Why focus on bumble bees?
Bumble bees are charismatic and easily recognizable pollinators thanks to their large size, loud buzz, and distinctive color patterns. They play an incredibly important role in sustaining the health of our environment by pollinating flowers in natural and urban areas, and by contributing to successful harvests on farms.
North America is home to around 50 different bumble bee species. However, many of our bumble bees are in trouble and face an uncertain future. Several species have been petitioned for protection under the Endangered Species Act, and many more are recognized in State Wildlife Action Plans as Species of Greatest Conservation Need. A recent study led by the International Union on Conservation of Nature’s Bumble Bee Specialist Group—supported by studies led by Dr. Sydney Cameron—and a status review by the late Dr. Robbin Thorp and the Xerces Society, demonstrate that one quarter of North America's nearly fifty species of bumble bees are undergoing dramatic population declines.
The causes of these declines are not fully understood, but the following are likely at fault: habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, low genetic diversity, and the introduction and distribution of pathogens through commercial pollinators. Regardless of the ultimate cause of bumble bee declines, protecting and managing existing habitat or creating new habitat are some of the most immediate and productive steps that can be taken to conserve these important pollinators. Understanding what habitats are most important, where to protect them, and where to restore them, are where our Atlas projects will provide essential information.
Why is the Atlas valuable?
Working together, Xerces' scientists, state and federal agency biologists, university scientists, and community scientists will be able to rapidly grow our understanding of bumble bees! Our teams of researchers will be able to use the new information to assess species distribution, population shifts, habitat associations and more. Additionally, the data will identify regions that are supporting healthy populations, as well as those in need of restoration or management, and highlight landscape features that are associated with bumble bee habitat. Understanding how species distributions have changed over time, in conjunction with habitat change, will help form accurate predictions as to what we should expect in the future, and aid in the design of effective conservation measures.
With your help, we can quickly cover the large regions of the country, collect scientific-quality data, and contribute to bumble bee conservation. Our efforts will help conservation biologists, restoration practitioners, and policy makers do a better job protecting, restoring, and managing effective habitat that support healthy bumble bee populations.
Event information:
https://www.bumblebeeatlas.org/pages/events
If you are interested in using one of my images for a speaking engagement or publication, please reach out.
