Today was sunny and a little bit warm, so I took the opportunity to pack Queen Malina's hive down for the winter. Blogger won't let me upload portrait photos at the moment - so we are missing some nice before and after shots. But instead, here is one of Queen Malina's workers dancing on the frames.
And this one is for Mr BVVF if he is watching.....some CRAZY COMB just for you. I gave the girls some stickies earlier in the year to clean out - and never got around to removing them, and then there was a big honey flow, and the girls filled that box up with crazy comb. This box was above the clearer board, so there were no bees in there, but there was CAPPED HONEY, so I managed to harvest about 4 frames.
And this photo shows how it is meant to be done - perfectly perfect comb built on foundation-less frames. Easy to inspect, pull out and harvest. clever girls.
The frames on this box were all more or less half filled with capped honey. I will leave them this one to help get them through the winter. There is enough room to store a bit more honey if a winter nectar flow happens. There are a few gum trees threatening to flower this winter - so you never know. The Red Ironbarks flowered beautifully last winter, but they may miss this one......
Clever beautiful bees.
6 comments:
Oh wow, I've just come across your blog and this is the first I see, I love the pics! Have been thinking about getting our own hive for quite a while now. Fantastic! How are you finding it?
Hi Mrs Bok. Herding bees is amazing, easy, hard, incredible, humbling and wonderful. I am very much a newbee....but luckily the girls are very forgiving of my clumsiness. I am inspired by the backwards beekeeping folks in the US. There is a link to their blog from mine. I really like their approach and methods - all natural, low interference, no chemical laden foundation. They have wonderful resources and vids. My advise would be to join your local beekeepers association and apprentice yourself to a nice beekeeper. its the best way to learn!
Interesting honeycomb those busy bees of yours make...it's wild! Your own fresh honey would be a real delight. My family are real honey munchers and we are lucky enough to have a few local beekeepers around to supply us with fresh honey. I would love a hive or two down the back but at this stage my hands and life are chock a block full! One day though.... definitely one day..... :)
That looks awesome! I'd love to come & see your hives sometime...
Dixiebelle you would be very welcome.
Hi, I found your blog when I was looking for people in Canberra who has bee hives. I would like to get one for my small backyard to help with the polienation and maybe some honey. Do you know anyone who is giving it away for free or for a small price? I can in-exchange provide cheese making info and equipment.
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