smiling in south carolina

first off an apology to my bee girls: I might have used a bit too much smoke, since the smoker made so much smoke.  it was pine straw and dried lavender. The bees did seem to be in smoke nervous mode for a while, but they calmed down once I finished up. I was a bit nervous myself, this being the first solo check up.  No stings, though!   First thing I noticed upon removing the roof was that the small family of ants that had been enjoying free access to the sugar syrup was now a full-fledged colony in the making, with a pile of ant eggs.  yuk.  again-I texted Rick for advice.  Bees don't mind ants or ant eggs AT ALL apparently.  Because I do mind them, I got rid of them.  They will probably be back, knowing how ants are so devoted to their task (much like bees). Further down, there was new drawn comb and a little bit of honey even in the recently added level two super, not much honey, but some!  and the level one super was HEAV...

   Found the bees clustering quietly outside the hive on Tuesday 4/19.  Got nervous, texted my Bee Guy Ricky and he suggested that I remove the entrance reducer, as they might be a bit crowded in and out with all the new bee life and activity.  Yes. I should have thought of that myself!  (but being a Newbee, I didn't).  Removing the entrance reducer almost immediately solved the issue and days later the bees are still using the original left-side entrance primarily, event though the entire bottom is available.  cute. So I use this glass dish filled with pretty rocks and rainwater for a bee water source and I love it!  It is on the (mostly cool and shaded) deck and it allows me to watch them drink and interact in a casual way.  Notice that I don't keep it TOO clean...there is some natural debris, leaves, a piece of honeycomb (their fave), and they seem to like the natural set up.

Rick Jones came by on Wednesday April 13 for my first official hive check of the nuc we installed a week and a half ago. His words: "Hive is booming. Almost completely filled a deep and a medium. Tons of brood and got to introduce her to "Maude" her queen bee. Had to add a second medium."

The Mid-State Beekeepers Association meeting was Tuesday evening and there was a great attendance, about 130 people. Very impressive group and meeting. I borrowed a book for the month and got a supply catalog to look through. Met a few nice people and enjoyed the meeting and information.  We had a bit of cold weather here in SC on Tuesday night, in the high 30s at night. The next day my bees seemed a bit tired but were out and about. I replenished the syrup. I noticed that they were making a clicking sound at the entry landing pad area. What IS that? You can hear it in the video.  There were two or three dead bees out front.   Attended the Blythewood Beekeepers meeting tonight and enjoyed the small group.  Lots of newbees.  We shared experiences, asked questions, and generally entertained each other for the duration of the meeting.  No cookies, though.  One thing I learned tonight from talking is that even experienced beekee...

This is Sunday video, where Zombie kitty meets the bees and finds something yummy nearby-honeycomb, perhaps? Monday, sunny and warmish, slight breeze. At sunset, I refilled the empty syrup jar (in the hive super, 1:1 + bee lively) and they seemed happy and busy and content.   I got up close and personal twice (dressed, no smoke) and they did not fuss at me at all.  Their leg baskets were stuffed with yellow pollen entering the hive. They have been enjoying the cool of the shaded deck, too, looking for water apparently. They ignored the large dish of rocks and rainwater i left near the sunny hive, preferring to suck from the cool shady garden sink tap and tiny nooks nearby. Their behinds bounce up and down while drinking.  A few thought it fun to drink from the underside of a small potted lemon tree plant, sliding under the plastic pot on their backs with back end and feet sticking out... like mechanics underneath a car. It's really pretty cute.

I was lucky enough to meet Ricky Jones, a local builder who specializes in custom hives and cedar products AND he built and delivered my new hive along with my bees on Saturday AND he helped me install it AND gave me a bunch of good advice.  What a blessing.  I am so thankful for Rick's help.  He is nice and very knowledgeable about bees, having a family tradition of beekeeping and keeping bees most of his life.  He has about 40 hives on his property I think.  He just likes bees!  He's checked in a couple of times with questions.   My nuc! Removing the frames Examining the frames, LOTS of everything in there. Looking for the queen.  Did not see her. That's ok. She is in there somewhere. The frames went in to the new hive. Rick and me, accomplishment! Watch for bees!

The hive is ready (see above) and will be delivered along with my bees tomorrow!