Hey all.
My two packages of Italians arrived today. Was actually quite emotional on the ride to the post office to get them. THe ride home was uneventful as the bees seemed very content. Each package had one bee one the outside of the screen. They never tried to fly around or anything, and were given the honors of beeibg the first to enter their new homes.
Here are a few pics.
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/rockingGbees/SBoPrmkpbUI/AAAAAAAAAHo/u9B27VwwoVM/s400/100_0128.JPG) (http://picasaweb.google.com/rockingGbees/BeeYard/photo#5195482361888337218)
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/rockingGbees/SBoP1mkpbXI/AAAAAAAAAIA/Lne3GpkUJ_4/s400/100_0131.JPG) (http://picasaweb.google.com/rockingGbees/BeeYard/photo#5195482533687029106)
I have them hived and they seem happy.
Time now to sit back and see how they do.
I will check them on sunday or monday to see if the queens are released.
Mike
Awesome, congratulations.
Good luck!
Jake
Emotional???? You mean like water coming out of your eyes and lumps in you throat??And TALKING TO THEM???
I've been there my friend, and I know what your talking about!...The first time is definitely the best!!
Those are greart pics too!
good luck and have fun!!!
your friend,
john
Mike, right on!!! I remember my first hiving of my packages and I know well the feeling you speak of, it is pretty darn cool, and wonderful, all at the same time. Good luck, you are gonna have some fun!!! Beautiful day in this wonderful life, Cindi
Just a quick upate. Girls have been their new home 48 hours. Bringing in pollen like crazy. They seem quite content and ard very gentle to bee around.
Mike
NOTE: I wrote this before seeing your update - GREAT ALL IS WELL :)
Contratulations, I know what you mean with the anticipation of getting your bees, dealing with weather and schedules, it can be an interesting week or more after you pick up your bees until you see your first eggs - it is an amazing voyage.
Do yourself a real favor as you get into observing egg patters, larve, extra - get 2 pair of dollar store reading glasses, a 2X and a 2.75X powered reading glasses. Keep a smoker handy, so that a light smell of smoke covers up your breath, get up close about 10 inches and study deep in the cells with RAZOR SHARP VISION. The eyeglasses also protect your eyes some. Just don't breath on them, think of installing and inspecting often (once a week) the first month and a half - you don't have to get that nuts, but if you want to see how the bees build a hive out, looking once a week gives you a good view of how they do it.
Also, check out my install video if you haven't, I promised, some videos are freightening as they get EVERY bee out of the feeder can opening - don't do that to your bees if you can help it. One good bang, not 2 or 10, and only one spill and all out if you do it right, do it wrong (the accepted way forever) is certainly more unacceptable, it cause great stress and unneeded stings and vicious bee activity. My link to my videos are below in my signature.
No matter what you do, love those bees, they need caring for today more than ever.