Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Hive Inspections!

 Sherry and I have been wanting to get out and check our hives but it's been too cold, or raining, or windy!


Finally, today dawned bright, sunny, and warm!
Perfect timing since this was our last full day to be here.

Sherry took her lunch hour to do this since she works from home.
All suited up and ready to go.


You can see the beautiful blue sky as Sherry was getting the smoker ready.





You can hear the birds singing as we do our inspection of each hive.


Lots of healthy bees!
You can see they are still working on the comb.


We saw brood, larvae, capped honey and everything is as it should be with all three hives.


I love listening to the hum of the bees......


We actually saw a baby bee being born!!


I hope you can see it!
 The baby is pushing itself out of the brood hole and the other bees are walking right over and around it!


While we did not see the queen, we know she's there because of all the brood!


See the larvae?


The red spots are pollen.


All three hives are healthy with Hives #2 and #3 thriving!
Those two will be split in coming weeks giving us a total of 5 hives in all.


Sherry made notations on our bee hive check list!
We are going into our third year of beekeeping and we continue to learn more and more.
Sherry is the brains in this partnership while I take the pictures and do the more lightweight work.
Those hives are heavy with brood, bees, pollen, honey and comb.
The brood boxes are full and weigh about 70 pounds each. She had to lift the top one on each hive - twice. That's 420 pounds. Many more hives in the apiary and we will have to have the guys help do the lifting!

Our days here are done and we head home tomorrow but are planning on coming back after the middle of the month!!

15 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

Sherry may be the brains of this operation, but you talk just like a beekeeper! You name what each things is, and sound very professional. You know what you are doing, and have retained so much knowledge.

Susie said...

Linda, I love seeing the bees. I like hearing about them. So very happy that the hives are in great shape. You and Sherry are doing a fabulous job. I am amazed how much you have learn . You are doing a wonderful thing for world helping the bees. Blessings, xoxo, Love you, Susie

Changes in the wind said...

So glad all the bees are doing well and always enjoy the pictures.

Vee said...

You gals are wonderful beekeepers. 🐝 The pictures and descriptions are very interesting.

Deanna Rabe said...

I’ve never seen a bee being born! Thank you for sharing that with us!

MadSnapper said...

I think your hives and what you have both done and learned is amazing and also mind boggling to me, the fearful scaredy cat of bees... plus all that delish honey is the pay for all the hard work. you look great in your bee hat..

Arlene G said...

So glad your bees are doing well. We are crossing our fingers for our last hive. I think the bees do best when the keeper is near by. I told Marvin our girls know he is gone part of the time.lol

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

Thankful that all your haves are healthy and growing. You really do have a lot going on there. Glad the weather turned warmer and sunny for you. At least you can go home with some peace of mind over the bees.

Cheapchick said...

The bees look so healthy, beekeeping is one of the few things that help the planet. Hugs

photowannabe said...

Its so good to see the healthy hives and all the bees doing their thing.
I'm glad you can get back to the Ranch in a few weeks...Your vacation was great but you need more time in your little piece of Paradise.
Sue

Wanda said...

I just love your Bee stories and adventures. I've learned more about bees from you than any books or programs. You are real and up close and your photo are so good. Who would have thought you could see a baby bee born! Nature is so wonderful. My dearest and I are hooked on Nature films. So little we want to watch on TV, we go to the Nature documenteries they are so beautiful and informative.

I think your background of the chicken wire and rooster is so adorable and so "Ranch".
Have a great day love reading your posts.

Debbie said...

you are a beautiful bee keeper!! i too like the sound of the buzzing bees!! i was able to see the baby!!

such a nice hobby!!

Carole said...

So brave! Cheers

NanaDiana said...

My uncle was a beekeeper and had many hives on our farm. I loved them and was never afraid of them and don't ever remember getting stung even though I went to the little pond by their hives all the time.
There is nothing like home honey!
Hope you have a great weekend. xo Diana

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Since I will be a keeper of bees, but do enjoy the honey they produce, Linda, thanks for sharing the process once again. Seeing a bee being born was also a first for me!