First warm day in the Chicago suburbs. 58 deg.
While I wouldn't say they have officially survived the Chicago winter since they are not bringing back pollen yet, I would say that my chances look pretty good! Hive weighs 90 lbs. too!!! Check this video out of my hive today. There were so many bees (video doesn't do it justice) that you can hear me blowing them out of my mouth when they landed on my face and crawled to my mouth.
What the heck are they doing?? It doesn't look like orientation flights.
Ken
video-2010-03-10-14-41-38 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM0qpkTN7Q0#)
Didn't watch the video, but they'll be on cleansing flights, they're doing spring cleaning, bringing out their dead, scrubbing it all clean! Stretching their legs, etc.
Sure is good to see!!
The worst part is if they haven't flown for a while...they'll poop all over you. Smells horrible, last year I had to change my shirt several times a day :-D.
You should be seeing pollen soon, if the weather holds, the crocuses, willows, and maples are almost blooming.
Rick