First Hive Growing

Today I put my first medium super on my first hive. Checked it out and they have covered all but two frames. So, I set another medium super on top for them to work on.
Checked out my second hive and they are still working well. They have four frames to work on still so something next week I'll set another medium super on it.
I really enjoy my new hobby and just watching my bees at work.

#2 Bee Hive Ready May 18,2012

Got a call this morning and was told that my next hive/nuc was ready to pick up.
My friend, Mr. Pete Whitley and I drove over to Concord,NC and as we arrived I saw them sitting in their nuc/box ready for transport to their new home, my yard.
We are going to let them sit next to their hive to get use to being here until Sunday after Church. Then Mr. Whitley and I will transfer the frames to the hive and they will be at home sweet home. Love it...

Checked Out My First Hive

This morning my friend, Mr. Pete Whitley and I checked out my first hive to see what the girls were up to.
They looked like they were doing well and progressing well. Had filled another frame with nectar and pollen.
They were walking  over the empty frames getting ready to start working on making cone to store honey.

Next Hive Soon

Called about my next hive and was told they are not quite ready yet.
If the Queen is laying well by Wed. this coming week. I will have my next hive placed in the yard.
Really enjoying having my hive. Really amazing just to watch.

Busy Little Bees

Today was an interesting day observing my hive. There were more bees outside the hive today then any other day since I have placed them in the yard.
They appeared to be upset about something but, I had no idea what it could have been.
So, I waited a while and checked on them again. To my surprise they were all calm and back in the hive as usual.
Its been raining on and off the last two or three days but that seems to have no effect on their behavior.
They just continue to do their bee thing and are happy doing it.
I have been working in my shop on the other end of the yard and they have been coming in the shop visiting me then headed back out. Enjoyed the visit and they went right back to work.
Really enjoying my new hive.

Dealing With Ants

Over the last few days after setting up my new hive. I observed large black and red ants attempting to gain access to my hive and the sugar syrup supplied to the bees.
So, I did put out some ant killer under the small building next to the hive. I tried to insure the bees would not get to it.
This seemed to slow them down but, I have still observed them getting at the sugar syrup feeders which I placed on building blocks separate from the hive.

I was told to put out cinnamon around the hive and at first it appeared to have some effect. But, a day or so later they were back at the syrup supply.

It's been raining a bit and that slowed them down but, I'll see what happens over then next few days..

My bees are leaving the hive although they are still pretty heavily eating at the sugar syrup. I have seem a few today with pollen on their hind legs which is a good sign that they are foraging pollen and nectar.

Something Interesting

Today I was watching my hive and saw something really strange.
I saw a much darker bee come out of the hive and sit on the landing a few minutes.
He started buzzing his wings and flew to the ground.
He crawled around a while and I thought I would try and put him back on the landing.
I took a small stick and he crawled onto it. I placed him back at the hive entrance.
He sat there a few second and flew back to the ground again. He started crawling
away from the hive. I did this again a couple more times and she continued to fly
back to the ground. I have no idea if the dark bee lived or not but, I will continue to
look for more darker bees from this point.
If any has any idea why this happened. Please post for me. It would be interesting to
know if this occures with bee a lot.

Here's my little ladies hard at work. They started to gather at the entrance just before it started to sprinkle a little rain. They all finally disappeared inside as the rain started coming down a little harder.
Don't have too say, get out of the rain girls...Smart little ladies...amazing...

Just Waiting On The Bees

Here's mom sitting in her lawn chair waiting on the bees to arrive at the bee trap...
Hang in there Mom Curry. They will show up sooner or later...I love you for all you do
for me even now...

New Learning Experience With Bees

Today, turned in to a rainy day. So, I started wondering what bees did if the weather changed from a sprinkle to a good down pour.
So, when it started to sprinkle I stood out front of the hive and just watched what was going on...
I now give a lot of credit to bees and saw first hand just how smart they are. As the rain sprinkled. They still flew around the hive and not to far across the yard from the hive. After a few minutes I noticed that most of them started flying in front of their opening but still not landing. Then the rain picked up just a little more and I saw the landing gear extend and they began dropping in on the landing deck on the front of the hive.
From there they crawled right on in out of the rain...It was funny watching..No one had to tell them to get out of the rain..
Bees are little creatures but, smarter then some I have known....smilessssss....!
After the rain it was a little cool. A few did come back out but most still stayed in and dry. It was also later in the day and I guess they decided to just call it a day and start over tomorrow morning when the sun comes up...Love my little ladies...

This is my raspberry bush among others I have planted to make my yard bee friendly...

This is my new peachtree that was planted about three weeks ago...
Can't wait till my grapes vines get long enough to produce some sweet grapes...

My Second Trap

I finished making my second bee trap today. I got it set up in my sisters yard..
There are a few bee's buzzing around her yard. So, I set a second tray to see what happens...
Come on mother nature...fill this trap with little bees...Amen...

BEES Are Ready

Finally got the call I have been waiting for. MY BEES are ready....
Will be picking them up Tuesday morning early...
Then will introduce them to their new home at my house...

This is a picture of my first Bee trap that I made and set out in my mom's backyard.
There are bees flying in and out of it already. I hope their hive's first swarm will find
their new home here for me...
Working on my second bee trap now...

Bee Hive 2012 My First Blog

This year I attended classes at the Stanly County Ag Center sponsored by The Stanly County Bee Club.
It was presented by Toni Hill who invited other members and speakers that really put some good information out there for new beekeepers.
I'm sure happy that I attended and learned a lot on taking care of bees health wise and for doing a good job I would also be rewarded by my bees producing honey for me.
Right now I'm not sure if I'm going to try and sell what I get this year. But for sure by next year I'll have a well taken care of hive that will produce me some honey for the table and to share with some friends and family.
My bees should be here soon and I'll surely take some pictures to show them off. I am really full of anticipation on getting started and watching them do their little bee thing and I watch their progress along the way.
I hope to have others enjoy my BLOG as it grows and others place their posts here as well.
I welcome everyone and their pictures if they wish to do so...
I think it would be neat to keep track of others and their progress with their thoughts on beekeeping.
Putting out good information on bees and updates on the health and care..
See ya soon...
Tom