Hive one, visit 2

So this entry is backdated as I was sick for a few days.

Last week I went out to the hive, and checked it out.

I had trouble getting the lid off..the little buggers had build up some major comb, which is a very very good sign. I've read it takes seven pound of syrup or honey to build a pound of comb. So very good!

I took out the end frame and then slowly moved the frames apart, sadly breaking the odd little bit of comb where it was glued together. Funny enough when you move the frames? some of the bees that are 'holding on to each other' almost can form a few bee long chain. It was cute. They were as docile as can be too, very well behaved but being a little nervous I did apply a little smoke.

You can see how much they build up  before I even started! Excellent! there are three wood frames and one plastic one that came with the nuc, and at the back the thing with the two holes? is a syrup feeder. There was still maybe a third of syrup in there, so I left it, but I didn't top it up. They were still actively using it There should be plenty of honey sources around.

So then on to hunt the Queen! Disclaimer by the way, most of these photos' were taken by most excellent assistant, the daughter of the farmer lady who lets me put the hives on her land. They are about a 30 minute drive out of town.

I admit, looking down I was a little intimidated by the waxwork...and maybe by the amount of bees.

So what to do? Well dig in and start separating and looking for Little Miss Shy, the Queen!

Not there, on the outermost board. Only a little bit of building there even....

Not there either. On either side. At around this point I got the wise idea to look while holding the comb over the hive in case she dropped off or something. I'd hate for the wee mite to get lost in the grass.

Found signs of nectar aka sugar water, capped brood, older larva, and younger larva. Even spotted tiny day old eggs. In the corner you can see the starts of 'honey' aka sugar water, capped. Still no Queen.

Gorgeous lines on this one. Capped brood in the centre with larva around it and syrup around that.

I admit, I love peeking in between the comb and seeing everything buzzing and going on.

Last comb..and still no Queen? Still, as I'd seen day old eggs, I was pretty sure she was in there...somewhere...

Instead of going through the hive again I decided to be responsible and simply scraped the top bars clean of the wax that had built up. It's known as burr wax, and it had a little bit of sugar syrup in it. This little girl bravely came to get some of it back from where I'd stolen it! There's maybe a golf ball worth of wax there, if that.

I figured to check again next week and packed up my stuff, answering questions for Farmers Daughter all the way. She was fascinated. Long may it continue!