June 6, 2011
This is my bee keeper at work. We have roof tiles on top of our hive box just to prevent the wind (Tehachapi is known for it's wind) from blowing the tops off the hives. We always try to work with the bees at dusk. They return to the hive for the night and settle in - they also seem to be calmer. The last time Mr. Bee Keeper worked with them, he was stung twice. He decided to "suit up" and also had his smoker at the ready.
Upon opening the hive box, there were some dead bees on the top of the frames (not sure why?). Bees are very clean and will actually haul the dead bodies out and through the opening, dropping them to the ground.
Pulling out the frame, we were quite excited at all the comb the bees have "drawn" on this frame. This first box, known as the brooder box is almost completely built up. In the next couple of days we will add the next level box known as the "super". The super box is where the bees will continue to make honey, which will be their supply for the winter. Depending on their activity and success - if this second box is completed, we will add a third "super" box which will be where they will make honey which is above their needs for winter and which we will (hopefully) be able to harvest.
