Here are some recent photos of one the hives that is thriving.
Strong Hive
Summer Blooms
Just sharing some late summer flowers and a few bee shots.
Enjoy the summer and stay safe!
Urban Oasis
On a less bee-related topic, it is the second year that my grapevine produced. I am now trying to think of what to do with my bounty.
The next step will be creating a jam/jelly if I don’t eat them all. This year’s garden has been tough on cucumbers. I found one today…
I will add an update on what these grapes turn into if I don’t eat them all.
Bee Safe! Michelle
Beehive Move: July 2020
Here is a recently finished video of our movement bees from the nuc to regular hive.
Here are beekeeper terms that were used in this video:
- Bearding is a term referring to bees accumulating at the front of the hive, in a beard-like shape. Bees do this to make room inside the hive for added ventilation on a hot and humid day.
- Frame is a piece of equipment made of either wood or plastic designed to hold the honey comb.
- Hive tool is a metal device used to open hives, pry frames apart, and scrape wax and propolis from the hive parts.
- Nucleus is a hive of bees which consists of fewer frames than a typical hive and may be smaller in size. A nucleus usually consists of two to five frames of comb and used primarily for starting new colonies or rearing or storing queens; also called and commonly referred to a nuc.
- Smoker is a device in which materials are slowly burned to produce smoke (not flames) which is used to subdue bees. It is important to use a material that produces a cool smoke as not to harm the bees.
- Queen is a female bee with a fully developed reproductive system, and she is larger and longer than a worker bee.
Sunflowers
Despite the summer heat, this has been a good year for sunflowers. I tried to grow some exotic colors but the seeds that did the best we’re the Mammoth ones that I purchased at the Dollar Tree.
I love this time of year, so that I can watch the many pollenators in my yard! Enjoy the summer and bee safe!
Summer Gardening
With the summer heat, the weeds have gotten out of control. Here are some photos of our early morning work at Park Heights Community Health Alliance.
Adding Frames
The hives are healthy and it’s time to let them expand and add frames.
I’ll check in again soon!
Summer Garden
Here is a see of photos of my summer garden!
Moving Day
This morning we moved the bee from a 5 frame to an 8 frame box.
Hot day in the City
Here is some video of bees bearding. This is often confused with a “swarm”. The bees are trying to stay cool outside the hive. This is a new nuc that I have not moved to my box because I wanted them to get very strong.
