The Healthy Honeybee

I'm not sure if this is sisterly affection, or sanitation crew. When I went to check on my bees Tuesday, this drama was playing out in front of one of the hives. The bee on her back is not really moving much, but still alive. Her sister was hanging around, and to me it looked like she was trying to help the bee get back up on her feet. However, I know bees are tidy creatures, so perhaps the intention of the healthy one was not so noble.
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I forgot to put bricks on top of the hives this afternoon when I was there, and I also wanted to check and make sure nothing weird was going on, so I drove out to the beeyard for the 3rd time today to check the hives (no opening, just watching the entrance) and put the bricks on top. I saw bees coming and going, some with pollen, most without. Seems like they've accepted the homes we made for them, so I will be able to sleep tonight.
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Here I am with one of my nucs. Tibor Szabo's beeyard is behind me - this is where my bees came from. A big thank you to Tibor for all of the helpful advice that came with the bees!

Now I feel like a beekeeper - I actually have bees to call my own. I hope they like their new homes.
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I took the girls out on a 'breakfast picnic' this morning at Fertile Ground CSA, which is where my beeyard is located. Today is the first day of the CSA pickup season for Angie and Mark, so they were very busy setting up their washing station and harvesting their organic veggies. I was busy too, setting up the hives in preparation for the bees. My girls had their breakfast on a picnic blanket, and were slightly annoyed with the early morning mosquitoes.

Only 2 more hours until I pick up my bees!
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I had a little helper today as I added some finishing touches to my brood chambers. He helped me hammer the frame rests into place. Hopefully that will be the last job, other than heading out to Fertile Ground CSA to set up the boxes tomorrow morning before I pick up my nucs! Yes, tomorrow is the day - I will become the proud owner of 2 nucs of bees. Wish me luck!
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These bees are not mine - they belong to Ken. In this picture they are working on capping some honey. The white part at the top is freshly capped, while the bottom combs are full of honey and not yet capped. Isn't it beautiful? I can hardly wait to get my own.
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I now have painted hives, thanks to my two helpers!
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