Sunny day Saturday but i was apprehensive as I approached the hives. As I pulled up, I saw tons of activity as they were streaming in and out of the hives. On closer observation, I saw them coming in laden with pollen. With the entrance reducers on, the bees were pushing and shoving their way into the hive.
Reese's Hive: Smoke and popped the top. There was still some sugar syrup left in the feeder (1/4 full). I scrapped 2 gorgeous pieces of burr comb off. No eggs that i could see. As I tilted the frame, the foundation popped off the hinges causing a great commotion. After carefully threading the foundation back in, I was able to pull it taut and place it back in the frame. Try as I might but could not find the queen and more importantly, no evidence of the queen. No eggs, larva or other....bad news, or so I though.
Karsten's Hive: No more syrup and almost a full frame with pollen, capped brood, some larvae and tons of activity. Little to no burr comb. Tried to find the queen but had no such luck. Replaced the syrup on both hives and closed them up.
As I headed home I wondered what was going on with Reese's hive. No eggs but everything seemed fine. I got home and examined with the burr comb with Axel. As I was pointing out to him the cells, I held the comb up to the light and BINGO, tiny little larvae. And as I looked, i could see tiny tiny little eggs, delicately placed in each cell. I felt elated but sad at the same time. Good news was that the queen was evident but had I just taken out a significant portion of the eggs she had laid?
The queen lays about 1500-2000 eggs a day once she really gets going. So, I did not feel too bad.
Just thrilled that we are well on our way!! More this weekend.
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