left behind bees are without a queen

No viable larva is seen, no queen or queen cells are seen. since the workers live only about 6 weeks, this colony will be extinct unless we can add another queen. Paul brought a queen cell from one of his hives and a queen emerged on the way here. She was carefully introduced to the hive. We will examine the hive in a few days.

bees need attention, one hive swarmed

The swarm stayed 40 feet up for 24 hours then left for the woods.

dead bee count

The metal sheet was cleaned with peroxide and tomorrow will do a dead bee count and cultures on them. Worker bees live only about six weeks, according to several books, including my latest, 1975 "The Hive and the Honey Bee" a gift from Neale Koening.

visiting bird

There are a few warblers here, and other birds; orioles, wrens, grossbeaks, barn swallows, finches, nuthatches, tufted titmouse, chickadees, cowbirds, red wing blackbirds,others, including one we can not Id, but have seen only one hummingbird.

bees are taking care of themselves so other interests:

Lung cancer cells used to test compounds inhibiting growth, if you are interested in techniques or can make suggestions, questions or comments are welcomed.

Nice weather!

The bees survived the brief snow and are now happy and healthy on this sunny day(the first in quite a while.) They've been busy collecting pollen. Since there are very few flowers yet we suspect they are perhaps utilizing the willow tree, though we have not actually seen any bees over there. A small scattering of local flowers will hopefully spread enough to provide the bees with something more soon.

April 19th snow

This is the hive built by Mr. Kendhammer, thicker than the other purchased hives. When the lid is lifted it feels warmer than the other two hives. Old rugs and blankets draped over the other two to give more warmth and prevent the opening from being blocked by snow/sleet. Bee have a supply of sugar water, last years honey and bee cake. Although they do not use the glass feeders becasue the solution is probably cold.