Friday, June 20, 2014

Now The Wait...

We headed to Dripping Springs Thursday night and stayed at a wonderful B&B.  Mt. Gainor Inn is a cozy little place on the edge of Texas Hill Country.  The proprietors were wonderful and extra snaps to them because I left my dSLR camera there and they are being so kind to ship it back.  We didn't realize that we left it behind until we were about 4 hours away.  

But onto the bees. We headed out to pick up our hive around 10am. The BeeWeaver bee barn was a hopping place. All kinds of people were there to pick up queens, package bees, nucs, and full colonies. Besides the colony we were getting, we had some gear to pick up. While standing in line to get the gear, I listened to some of the questions being asked. It made me feel good to know that there were some people there that knew less than we did. I was a little surprised. Whereas beekeeping isn't a real expensive hobby, it does involve a bit to get started, and you'd think you would at least know enough to be able to tell the merchant what you paid for and how to get them home. After a bit of a wait for gear we were checked in and presented with about 40,000 bees. We felt like proud new parents.  Here's Quin waiting patiently. 



So in the back of the truck they went. On our way to the ranch we stopped in to visit a new friend, one of the officers of the local beekeeping association. He was excited for us and wanted to give us a few last minute tips. About 2 1/2 hours later we arrive to put the hive in its forever home. 

Coming out of the hive to check out their new surroundings. 

Gearing up!

Quin putting some cardboard around the entrance as a reducer. It will take less guard bees for a smaller opening. That means more bees working. We used cardboard so that when they're ready for more space/more bees hatch, they'll chew right through the cardboard and make it as big as they want. 


This is the basic colony. It is only the beginning. 

A frame of bees building their honeycomb and hopefully, a Queen making more bees. 

The base brood box. 

Up close. 



We'll check the hive Saturday and Sunday to make sure the girls are still hanging around, but I think we are off to a good start!

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