Aquilla’s Gold is owned and operated by Richard and Charlotte Maxey.  We reside next to Wakulla Springs State Park in Wakulla County, Florida and are life-long natives of the area.  This area, in the panhandle of Florida, is referred to as the Big Bend Area. 

The area is blessed with a diverse geography, from sandy coastal plains to fertile uplands. The diverse geography allows us to move our bees within a 60 mile radius to gather various nectar sources.  There is High-bush gall berry, Spring Titi, Red Maple, and various Willows blooming from January to March, Ogeeche Gum (TUPELO!)from the hardwood swamps of the Apalachicola River in April and May, and then Low-bush gall berry in May and early June.  These trees and shrubs provide nectar for our bees to make some of the world’s best tasting honey.  After mid-June we move our bees to either agricultural crops, such as cotton, or to northern Georgia for the sourwood bloom.  In addition, this year we are moving our bees to central Florida in September for the Brazilian pepper bloom.  Brazilian pepper nectar makes a baker’s grade honey but the bees don’t care.   

 

One of the bees hard at work!