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Another great day at the Marquette Food Co-op for the pollinators. The Co-op's one year anniversary of opening the new store coordinated with pollinator month. Our April 22nd Earth Day event and now this, has allowed us to make many new friends for the bees. Thank-you MFC!! Thank-you Superior Beekeeping Club for all of the volunteers!!   
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First snow on the Hive House-- but it is only May 19th. Yesterday was 56 at 5:00 AM 72 at 11:30 AM - 58 by noon - 46 by 4:00 PM , and 32 this morning and snowing-still is at 8:00 AM.  First snow for the Hive House All but for the bees, the HH will start humming.The bees have been delayed until some time this coming week. It is just too early for me to split my other hives---so will wait! Started the HH April 20th, I have worked off and on until finishing yesterday. Some details still to happen this summer including an observation hive on the wall, a short video of explanation, and a small table and stools for break time (coffee,tea,wine) in the quiet of the Hive House. Click on any of the pictures to enlarge. *** The bees are back out after snow flurries last Tuesday. May get some more this Tues. June/Service berries are really out now and the bees are all over them.  "Good enough" steps  Laying over the hives  Bees wax candle adds to the smell of pine wood  Log ends on the wall--a few more to go up More progress on the HH. The second "bee door"goes on,battens go up on the boards,some more cracks filled, and rod & curtain for privacy. Much to do yet-steps,chinking a window, and soffit gaps to be filled. ** Note on the bee front. --Wildflowers are blooming about 11/2-2 weeks earlier than the past two years. The cold the past couple of days has slowed it down but the trend is strong. Don't strop your feeding yet!!   battens and bee door  Curtain up Trying to close most of the HH up for rainy and cold weather. Lot of trim work to do to make it tight. will make the second bee entry door tomorrow. Will let the pictures talk.    The building goes on with the logs on the east end and a door-which is an old window/door. It is small as is the HH (entrance reducer). The bees keep coming over to check out the building--they may be wondering who gets to live in the "big house".  Logs up and door in  The inside look The work continues on the hive house. Had to cut a couple of balsams to get the 3x3 beams for the hive structure. Just hived a couple of buckfast packages--I think they came over to the hive house to check it out. I will be getting some nucs soon so need to get the bee area of the hive house ready. Lots of pollen coming in--flowers about 2 wks. ahead of the last two years.  Above the bees  bee area--another door to go  Screen on the inside The window goes in and the door frame is added. More pollen coming in for the bees--maple is big time at the moment. more packages coming tomorrow--Buckfast bees which I haven't had since the 80's. Thanks to Tom Nebel for this opportunity.    Floor and window beam goes in Floor goes in and the window beam is set. Wine time in the new hive house seems to be the appropriate thing to do. With no written plan,it takes some "thinkin time to make plans for the next day,
Work progresses on the Hive House. Some seen and more that is not. This is not the only thing at this time of year that demands attention--bees to tend, wood to be cut ,split and stacked, gardens to plant and grand kids to play with . Life sure is rough but someone has to do it. The next step after this, will be to get the floor in and then the front wall with a big window in it--stay tuned!  A layer of insulation  "Roped" for roofing  Done and semi-square |
Joel LantzKeeper of bees. Archives
May 2019
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