Examining your hive frames.

Be sure to check the slow progress of your hives late winter to early spring but only if the days temperature is above 50 degrees. When you go into them, you look at a few frames for the presence of a laying queen. The tell-tell sign is the unique looking 1-3 days old eggs. If you do not see this then there MIGHT BE a chance she is not present. Your quest now is to locate her among thousands of her sisters that look just like her.

 

It's finally April-Time for Spring Splits!

As a beekeeper, you think about making hive splits the entire year of when you are going to split your hives to increase the size of your bee yard(apiary). The first year it's 2, then 4, then maybe 8. You really just do not know from year to year how many colonies you will loose and how many will survive. Plus, the success of splitting one hive to make 2 or more or even if you are lucky enough to catch a wayward swarm.

Drone Cells appear on a frame as bigger bullet shape cells.(r)

New Hive Site Prep and Setup

It usually takes us a week or so to decide where to locate a new hive stand. It is like bringing a new baby into your household.

 

The Hive Bodies are painted!

After a few days of painting the hives, it's finally done!

Springtime Colors!

It is time for some vivid colors for the new hives going in soon. Nothing says it like springtime colors!

Self Portrait of a beekeeper or Bees flying to hive in winter?

I really couldn't decide what to call this blog post so you decide. While checking on the bees in 75 degree weather and have just purchased a new phone, who could resist testing out the camera? Bees were bringing in lots of pollen on a warm December day in the south. Not sure where it all was coming from but it seemed rather like it was a late March day instead.

Mountain Forest Honey....what's in it?

This week I sent a sample of Mountain Forest Honey to Dr. Richard Carroll, who will be testing the honey for types and amounts of pollen. It will be interesting to see what plants

 the bees in south Shelby County are getting their pollen and nectar from. Dr. Carroll is a geologist at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa who holds a doctorate in the study of prehistoric plants. He recently spoke at the Shelby County Beekeepers Association's monthly meeting. He explained that he continues to be surprised at the varieties of pollen that show up in a sample taken. For example, he sees Sweet Gum, Gallberry, Black Mustard and even grass pollen in the honey.