Orioles eating honey

 The bees installed in the rain are doing better than the other two hives.  Many frames were missing or crooked so the bees made an excess of bur comb. This was removed,  with some honey.  The honey had a delicate flavor, enough to make me reconsider seeding field in front of this hive with buckwheat to produce dark honey.  But, this is a borderline fertility area, acidic and damp. Buckwheat is tough and grows well here with no fertilizer, lime or chemicals of any sort.

Some of the honey was put in an orange and Orioles were so attracted to it  that they forgot their usual skittishness, allowing a few pictures.

Missing hive tools never found.   

Tonight went to the local bee group meeting about splits, something I hope to try.

NEW BEES 2013

 I installed a new queen and entourage 5/8 in this unpainted hive in pouring rain and cold.   The bees got into my suit and hood but did not sting, maybe they were just happy to get out of the weather. These are unusually docile bees, from a different source.
I left my new frame cleaning tool is inside the hive when I used it to remove the plug from the queen cage.    I don't want to disturb the bees just to retrieve it. So, I am back to cleaning old frames with a knife.

Hilary installed  two packages in the painted hives.   They are thriving and returning to the hives  laden with pollen from unknown sources.

Each active hive is next to an empty hive, ready in anticipation of swarming. Last year we captured swarms in  hastily assembled "hives",  gave some away and some went wild.

 The hive on the left is the most active, hive made by Tom Kendhammer. He used thicker wood and it is better construction than commercial hives giving bees more protection.  

The picture below is  the start of the Vue's wonderful garden,  a lot of garlic.  The well head is  also pictured . I  cleaned around the well to divert run off and protect it since it is pristine water and we hope to keep it that way.