Queen bees in the kingdom: Saudi Arabian keeper creates a buzz - in pictures

  • Saudi beekeeper Fatima Saleh Almelad holds a queen bee in her hands at an apiary in Qatif, Saudi Arabia. Reuters
    Saudi beekeeper Fatima Saleh Almelad holds a queen bee in her hands at an apiary in Qatif, Saudi Arabia. Reuters
  • Ms Almelad, 19, tends to the bees. Reuters
    Ms Almelad, 19, tends to the bees. Reuters
  • A bee stings Ms Almelad's finger – one of the downsides to beekeeping. Reuters
    A bee stings Ms Almelad's finger – one of the downsides to beekeeping. Reuters
  • On the upside, the honeycomb produced is exceptional. Reuters
    On the upside, the honeycomb produced is exceptional. Reuters
  • Ms Almelad examines the fruit of the bees' labour. Reuters
    Ms Almelad examines the fruit of the bees' labour. Reuters
  • Honeycomb comprises a series of hexagonal cells constructed from beeswax which generally contain raw honey. Reuters
    Honeycomb comprises a series of hexagonal cells constructed from beeswax which generally contain raw honey. Reuters
  • Ms Almelad burns a piece of burlap to keep the bees at bay. Reuters
    Ms Almelad burns a piece of burlap to keep the bees at bay. Reuters
  • Being responsible for an entire colony of bees can be hard work. Reuters
    Being responsible for an entire colony of bees can be hard work. Reuters
  • Ms Almelad puts the queen bee in a hive. Reuters
    Ms Almelad puts the queen bee in a hive. Reuters