Royal Piglet Watch

Opal, like Kate Middleton, is the center of expectant anticipation concerning the birth of her babies. She had to put up with paparazzi harassment while she grabbed a bite to eat in the yard last night.
Poor Opal.
She's working hard this morning to build a new house in which to shelter her brood. She's picking stalks of weeds, carrying them to her building site, and stacking them into a cozy fortress.
It's fascinating and fun to watch her plan and build.

Honey Bee Bee

Last week my favorite hive swarmed, which means they felt crowded so the queen left, taking a small army with her, while others stayed behind to hatch a new queen and continue about their business.
I was heartbroken. I couldn't believe that when I had done everything right, this would happen. After all, the book said bees swarm in early spring!
Well, I rushed out to buy a new hive and a bucket on a long pole in order to catch them, but they were gone when I got home.
I added that new hive body to another of my hives who needed more room.
But it was too late.
That hive swarmed four days ago.
They've been up in the oak tree. We rushed out (again) to buy ANOTHER hive and some bee lure, and set everything up under where they're swarming, hoping they'll simply move into the fresh new hive.
Here is a photo journal of Big Dan's advertising campaign to convince the bees to move from the oak limb into the new hive.
I expect them to make a decision soon!

The Hive at #653 Buddys Lane

Katie labeled the hives as we installed them, 651, 652, and 653 Buddys Lane. Number 653 is in the back yard, and is notoriously aggressive.
A few days ago I found out why. I pulled frame after frame looking for brood patterns and finding nothing by honey and pollen.
No queen!
I called my bee keeping guru and left a message, but since it was the start of Memorial Day weekend, I also took measures of my own in case he couldn't round up a queen for me.
I exchanged a frame of capped brood, including queen cells, from my strongest hive for an empty one of theirs.
But then I got a call back from the apiary and went yesterday to pick up our new queen.
We call her Latifah.
I'll let her start to be released tomorrow night.
Already the hive can smell her and is calming right down.
I love my bees!

Fixed It.

Dan didn't realize the extent of my carpentry skill till he saw the expert techniques I used in building the bee frames.
Now he's impressed.

The Buzz

Here are the newest livestock on Providence Farm.

Dan and I picked up one package of bees on Saturday, and in our typical last minute fashion I stayed home from soccer to frantically build their frames and get the queen installed in her new home.

They've already slurped up a pint of sugar water and are bringing in pollen on their little legs.

I'll check the queen's cage tomorrow and make sure that they've freed her and that all is well inside their hive, then my work is done.

Bee Housing 101

This weekend two packages of bee families may be coming from Georgia to take up residence on Providence Farm.

After an extremely busy and exciting day of buying cattle and hay yesterday, we rushed out to purchase and prepare two bee hives in case the blessed event happens Saturday.

These are 8 frame hives which are smaller and lighter than the standard 10 frames. The best part though is the charming copper roof.

What bee wouldn't be honored to make this hive his abode?

Winter, When Blogging Turns to Theory

This is the time of year when not too much excitement is happening for me to photograph and blog for you.
But it is a good time to give loose rein to my fancy and plan some fun for spring time.
I hope to drive down to North Carolina to pick up a couple bee hives in January.
The shipping is about the same as the hive, so I figured we'll enjoy a scenic mountain drive and pay less.
Other then bees, I'd like to create (I, in this context meaning Dan) raised beds for berry production.
Our berries have always failed so far, but in my optimistic delusion I think that lots of organic matter and soaker hoses in the beds will make all things possible for blueberries this time around.