01-15-2017—Bee Colony Expansion

Bees decided to reproduce. Swarm split off from rest of colony and bearded in nearby pine tree.

Update 1/16/2017: Beard has moved on. Hope they found a safe home, with lots of flowers nearby.

01-11-2016—Scrub Jay Baffle

This summer I was surprised to discover scrub jays methodically picking off bees from top bar hive. I leaned some sticks near the entrance to deter bird-on-bee snacking and observed the hive over time. Update: sticks seem to be a success! Bees pass through one spot as they exit. Without sticks, the spot is exposed. Once sticks are in place, bees have room to create variable flight patterns, which makes them difficult to catch mid-air.

09-03-2016—Bee Cloud

It's difficult to photograph, but sometimes the bees form a cloud around the hive. Not always dependent on high temperatures. Today, for example, was cooler but the bee cloud precipitated. Gave a wide berth before gauging the general bee mood, and checked the hive entrance for robber bees. After being stung in the face several times while trying to catch a swarm, I understand that prudence is a good beekeeping trait.

Just an inflight traffic jam perhaps.

06-26-2016—Top Bar Beehive News

Checked on bees this morning. They're building comb on 4th frame.

05-15-2016

If you wanna look cool, wear a bee suit. Opened up the beehive since first installing a week ago. Bees haven't expanded beyond the first 3 frames.

05-04-2016—Top Bar Beehive News

Ventura County Beekeeping Club meeting was yesterday. Most of the members are feeding their bees, so today I made feeder from old olive jar and set it out. Bees were not interested, but managed to attract lots of ants. Removed feeder at the end of the day. I think the bees are getting plenty of food from clarkias and neighbors' Ligustrum hedges.

05-01-2016—Bee Relocation

Moved bees from swarm box to top bar hive this morning. Bees had built comb on first 3 bars. Move was approximately 15 feet, which was problematic for some of the bees that didn't reorient and went back to old site. But many bees successfully returned to new location.

04-22-2016

Bees have moved into swarm box. Box is placed on ladder facing south, under maple tree. This group of bees seems easygoing, so far.

04-08-2016

Third time bee swarm has bearded outside of swarm box but didn't move in. Not sure why.