Year 2, Week 3: After the Rain

I was finally able to inspect both Plan Bee... and Lib-BEE-taria this morning between classes. The last three days have been cool and rainy. This morning it was sunny and in the 50s as I opened both hives. Maple and plum trees are blooming close by and the first dandelions are flowering as well.

I was very pleased with what I found in both hives. In Plan Bee..., the top bar hive, the carniolans have drawn a significant amount of comb on 5 bars. Three of the combs have a nice, full pattern of capped brood, and some capped honey to the top. The bees were unbelievably calm on the comb as well. I added another bar to the ten that were already available, since they have comb built right next to a bar located adjacent to a follower board.

I found Lib-BEE-taria, the Langstroth, healthy also. They are drawing comb on 4 of the plastic frames. I was skeptical about using plastic but wanted to experiment a bit. I melted some extra beeswax on the foundation to make them more appealing and that seems to have done the trick. Again, as with the top bar, these carniolans seem to have a healthy queen if the brood pattern is any indication.

Pollen Coming In!

I've spent the last few days since I installed the packages into my two hives just watching the behavior of the bees at the front entrances. Yesterday, I noticed that the bees were bringing in a bright orange-yellow pollen; today, the pollen has been various colors. Looking around the neighborhood, I speculate that bees have been foraging at dandelion blossoms, and the red maple trees which are in bloom. Our plum tree just started blooming as well but, as of yet, I have not seen any bees visiting its flowers.