I went out before the rain on Saturday to check the hive.\u00a0 Noah took the pictures for me this time and we used a tripod, flash and the high resolution \/ high ASA settings on the camera.<\/p>\n
It had been 12 days since the last inspection which is what I’ve adopted as my target until I learn more.\u00a0 The weather is overcast today, bees seem to be coming and going despite the clouds but the hive seems fuller of bees than the last time.<\/p>\n
We saw 3 small hive beetles and killed two of them.\u00a0 Art’s getting some SHB traps for his hive.<\/p>\n
The hive appeared clean, the bees weren’t angry.\u00a0 They buzzed when smoked and none flew right at me.\u00a0 One sat on my face screen for a few minutes and there were a few fly-bys but it was a pretty peaceful inspection.\u00a0 Most of the children watched from behind Noah.<\/p>\n
Frames 1, 2, 3 are as in the last inspection, largely untouched.<\/p>\n
Frame 4 shows some change.\u00a0 There does seem to be some drawn comb started on the outside.\u00a0 I can’t tell whether there’s more.\u00a0 The inside had many more bees than the last inspection.\u00a0 I estimate that there were about 200 bees in the center of the frame and the comb was being drawn out more.\u00a0 I’ll have to start taking pictures both head on and from the side next time.<\/p>\n
Frames 5, 6, and 7 are the nuc frames.<\/p>\n
Frame 5 (outside): The queen is on this side of this frame.\u00a0 There are many more bees.\u00a0 The bees have built up the comb on the top of the frame so that it bulges.\u00a0 There is sealed brood in the center surrounded by larvae.\u00a0 I estimate there are about 3 times more brood and larvae than 12 days ago.\u00a0 The remaining cells appear to be filled with nectar, but the picture may show more young larvae extending to the bottom of the frame.<\/p>\n
Frame 5 (inside): There are more bees (about double?).\u00a0 Some of the pollen has been taken out.\u00a0 The larvae from the last inspection are now sealed brood and there are more larvae where the sealed brood used to be.\u00a0 The bees appear to be capping some honey at the top of the frame.\u00a0 It’s in a band about 4 cells wide across about 2\/3 of the frame.<\/p>\n
Frame 6 (inside): More bees here.\u00a0 About half of the sealed brood has hatched with more larvae about this time.\u00a0 I missed some capped honey on the last inspection.\u00a0 This time there’s a nice band across the top with the left corner coming down about 10 cells worth.\u00a0 Pollen appears about the same quantity but moved.<\/p>\n
Frame 6 (outside): More bees here.\u00a0 The sealed brood \/ larvae appear to be cycling here as on the other frames.\u00a0 Larvae appear to dominate this time.\u00a0 As on the inside of the frame, there’s a good bit of capped honey, but the caps still have small holes in them.<\/p>\n
Frame 7 (inside):More bees here.\u00a0 Pollen may have grown slightly, but I can’t tell.\u00a0 Honey is being stored across the top of the frame.<\/p>\n
Frame 7 (outside):Many more bees here.\u00a0 This may all be nectar.\u00a0 All I can tell is that the frame appears fuller than before.\u00a0 There is at least one pollen cell.<\/p>\n
As before, I didn’t look at frames 8, 9, and 10 although, checking my notes, I did think I saw some drawn comb on 8.\u00a0 I may have put 6 in backwards.\u00a0 I’ll have to check against the pictures and number the frames next time.<\/p>\n
My hope for next time is to see more honey and more drawn comb on 4 and 8.\u00a0 I’m also concerned about the pollen and how much the bees need to make it through the winter.<\/p>\n
The weather has been wetter and there have been many more flowers.\u00a0 Coworkers have been complaining of pollen allergies.\u00a0 I hope that this will be good for the bees.<\/p>\n