we caught a swarm!

Friday evening after work, we rushed home to hurry through chores, and put the finishing touches on housecleaning.  We had weekend company on the way, and a sinkful of dishes.  As I looked out the kitchen window- I knew there was going to be a change of plans.  I saw a be swarm of honey bees pretty close to the top of one of the apple trees.

I had to cut out about 6 pretty good sized branches just to clear a path to pull the swarm down through.  We were down to one living hive that survived the winter, and really didn't want to loose this swarm.

Rob was in the ladder and I was up in the tree hacking away at it. But we finally got it cut out and moved out of the tree.  Then rob smoked the swarm off from their branch and put the lid on the hive.  As of right now they are sucking down sugar water, and will hopefully set up homestead... free bees- can't get any better than that.

taking stock of the losses

Yesterday, Rob sorted and cleaned out the dead hives from last year.  We're down to one living hive ( from three). If we're lucky we should be able to catch a swarm out of this hive, as it's very healthy and active. Also there is a man in the next town over that is selling small hives, we'll probably purchase at least one and try it all over again.

I know we're all sick of winter, and glad it's over. But can you imagine how good it must be for these girls to finally get out and have something to eat.?

p.s.  My coworker posted a photoshop tutorial  here  about how to make a pan-o-rama. In case anyone is interested.

weekend update...

Friday night. The neighborly Mr. H.  had his plow on and came down to plow up the garden.  AWESOME!  Looks like maybe we forgot to dig up a row of potatoes from last year... ooops.

Then all day Sat. Mr. H came by all day to hang out, make fun of me,and basically build a pig pen for us for Darryl faye, as she is due to have piglets in a few weeks. 

This way through the barn, for all the babies...and everyother creature.

Down to one live hive.  We've gone into the last 2 winters with 3 hives each, and only made it out with one alive each time... maybe this year will be better.

Malia comes out of the house when she wants to to watch us do chores... otherwise she's still in the house, hopefully only for another day or two.  She's still smaller than a newborn jacob, which is about half the size she should be.  She seems alert, and active though.  Polly the chihuahua hates the fact that her territory has been invaded, and that she is no longer receiving 100% of the attention.

Nice sunny weather to lay around and watch you mom, aunts, and granmothers eat their hearts out. It was nice to be outside in a T-shirt.

Here's Kendall White.  I predict she'll have had her baby today while we were at work... We'll see.  She is one our top fav. ewes, and NFS No Matter What.

Bees

As requested, here's a little bit about the bees... We started the winter with 3 healthy full hives and one smallish new swarm that we hived in June of last year. Coming into the spring there are only one living hive with a decent population. The others had honey, and were found clustered and dead. I dont know if it was colony collapse disorder or if it was related to the drought we suffered last year. So, now we have one good hive. Im going to try to do a split in May. Im watching them closely.