Today's hive inspection was so exciting! First, Sweet BEEzus is queen right and thriving. A look into the top super showed the queen is laying in a nice pattern and the girls are storing honey/sugar syrup in the tops of the frames. In a couple of weeks when I stop feeding these girls, I'll add another super on top just in case they decide to make some honey.
Now, for Apollo. The original hive is going strong, despite producing a couple of swarms and some robbing activity. A peek into the third super shows the girls are storing honey on about three of the frames, but it is not yet capped. I'm hopeful they will make at least one super of honey by the end of the summer.
Rocky had the best suprise of all. My scrappy swarm hive captured last summer is very productive! This hive also swarmed twice in the spring and has fended off "robbers." When I pulled out some frames in the third super, they were heavy with honey, most of it capped! I'm pretty sure I'll be able to harvest this honey in a couple of weeks.
All of this honey activity sent me hurrying to my computer to order more supplies. I ordered two shallow supers with frames for more honey production in Apollo and Rocky; an escape screen for separating the bees from the honey super; and nylon strainer bags for the honey filtering system.
What a sweet morning it's been. I love my bees.
That sounds great and it will be fun to see your first honey harvest. I suggest you put your hair in a giant "beehive" style, wear your turquoise, 1950s glasses and sing some Doris Day hits when you film the "gathering."
ReplyDeleteMy hat and veil won't accommodate the beehive, the sunglasses obscure my vision and most people I know would beg me NOT to sing. I will, however, try to get some pix or film of the grand harvest of 2011.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you wear, it will be fun to see the harvesting.
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