This hive last year was my most productive. . .Let's see what happens this year.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Hive #1 (The Swarm)
What can I say about this group of girls. . . . Well these girls were from a swarm that I found on the lake last summer. I requeened it shortly after I got it because it just wasn't doing real great and after talking to my Uncle (The all knowing all seeing all everything) Ted, he suggested that I do it. Anyway, it's been kind of touch and go since I started with them last summer. This winter we went through so much with them. I really did not think they made it. It was so bad inside that I cleaned it out and found so many millions (ok, it seemed like millions) of dead bees on a warm day in March that I thought for sure they were a goner. I kept an eye on them and occasionally saw a random bee here and there but no real sign of life. The last couple of warm days I checked all the hives and this one was doing nothing. Instead of feeling as sad as I was, I decided to really just learn something from it. You have no idea how I felt when I went out there this evening and found what I found.
Here is a photo.
65 Degrees and Wonderful
Wow What a great day. I just got in from the yard and the hive I thought didn't make it has all kinds of stuff going on. Now I wonder if I shouldn't go ahead and order five new queens to split the hives. One hive seems to be a bit weaker. Until it's warm enough for me to go in and really check things out I suppose I will have to wait and see. I know it's 65 degrees today, but I just got home from working at a health fair and it's almost 4:00 p.m. I also have to go up to be at the first Relay for Life Meeting tonight.
I'm going to post a posting for each hive. . . Hopefully I'll keep them all straight.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
BRRRRRRR!!!!!
Did I say gray yesterday. . .well the weather hasn't gotten any better. Jim is outside in the garage putting together more woodenware. Boy will it ever end? I took some photo's of the hives so you could see the new night lights and to see just how cloudy and overcast the day is.
The garage has been the main building site for all the frames and boxes. Here is a picture of what goes on when you are crazy enough to add 20 more hives.
Just about when you think you are going to see the end of it all, you uncover more stuff to put together and paint. Jim just keeps shaking his head and muttering under his breath. I know it's only good things though:)
Probably this week we will start to set up the stand and put some of the brood chambers out so we can empty out the garage a bit. I think Jim would like to put his car back in the garage. . . . How do I tell him it's going to be a little while?
I also just finished a photo session with the bears that I put up on the web site. Lil helped to get them ready. There was one photo that we took because we were thinking of Uncle Dave. Dave just joined the Air Force and we just got home from seeing his graduation in San Antonio.
Well better close so I can get to work. Have a wonderful day:)
The garage has been the main building site for all the frames and boxes. Here is a picture of what goes on when you are crazy enough to add 20 more hives.
Just about when you think you are going to see the end of it all, you uncover more stuff to put together and paint. Jim just keeps shaking his head and muttering under his breath. I know it's only good things though:)Probably this week we will start to set up the stand and put some of the brood chambers out so we can empty out the garage a bit. I think Jim would like to put his car back in the garage. . . . How do I tell him it's going to be a little while?
I also just finished a photo session with the bears that I put up on the web site. Lil helped to get them ready. There was one photo that we took because we were thinking of Uncle Dave. Dave just joined the Air Force and we just got home from seeing his graduation in San Antonio.
Well better close so I can get to work. Have a wonderful day:)
Friday, March 24, 2006
Crazy Weather
This morning it was cold but at least the sun was shining. This afternoon it was gray and it was spitting snow. Boy you sure can tell we live in Michigan.
The supplies came that I ordered Monday. Boy are they fast. 20 excluders and some nuc boxes. I am going to be so busy painting again this weekend. Today I bought some more solar lights and took them out to the yard and put one in front of each hive. I figured the girls would probably like a little night light.
Wines Bee Yard will participate in the Relay for Life. I'm kind of excited, and a little nervous about it. Usually the health club I work in participates, but last year we just didn't get enough help to make it work. Jim and I want to be a part of something that helps others. My dad died of Lung Cancer and Jim's father has had to go through it too. We really lucky to still have Jim's dad with us and it would be nice to be able to help contribute so that hopefully other lives will be saved. We both know a whole lot of people who are facing being diagnosed with cancer right now. What can we do? Neither one of us could come up with a good idea or how we could really help. So if you would like to help us out and be a part of our team, just let us know. The relay is at the Lenawee Christian Center in Adrian Michigan July 21st & 22nd. We will be out there walking all night, the tent will be up and hopefully we will be able to raise enough money to help make a little difference. I can send you a form so you can register for our team, and I'll keep everyone posted as to how much we are able to raise.
Better close for now, I have a whole lot to get done before Monday.
The supplies came that I ordered Monday. Boy are they fast. 20 excluders and some nuc boxes. I am going to be so busy painting again this weekend. Today I bought some more solar lights and took them out to the yard and put one in front of each hive. I figured the girls would probably like a little night light.
Wines Bee Yard will participate in the Relay for Life. I'm kind of excited, and a little nervous about it. Usually the health club I work in participates, but last year we just didn't get enough help to make it work. Jim and I want to be a part of something that helps others. My dad died of Lung Cancer and Jim's father has had to go through it too. We really lucky to still have Jim's dad with us and it would be nice to be able to help contribute so that hopefully other lives will be saved. We both know a whole lot of people who are facing being diagnosed with cancer right now. What can we do? Neither one of us could come up with a good idea or how we could really help. So if you would like to help us out and be a part of our team, just let us know. The relay is at the Lenawee Christian Center in Adrian Michigan July 21st & 22nd. We will be out there walking all night, the tent will be up and hopefully we will be able to raise enough money to help make a little difference. I can send you a form so you can register for our team, and I'll keep everyone posted as to how much we are able to raise.
Better close for now, I have a whole lot to get done before Monday.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
What's the Buzz in the Bee Yard
3/23/06 - Started to look around and see ust what I have going on and what I need to get done and the more I look at things the more scared I really am. I keep hearing my Uncles kind words of wisdom ringing in my ears. . . "Debbie, it's a lot of work, it's a great deal more work than just the five hives you have." Funny, I just didn't believe it was going to b e that difficult.
Now I'm looking in the garage with a ton of woodenware, in all different stages of being. (Being built, being painted, and being wired as well as waxed.) Yikes. . . .
Now I'm looking in the garage with a ton of woodenware, in all different stages of being. (Being built, being painted, and being wired as well as waxed.) Yikes. . . .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)