Well After catching the three swarms I decided it was time to move my urban bees to the rural area. I asked a farmer if I could put my bees on his land and he agreed with no stipulations. The pictures below are of their new home. I still have two more hives to move out there I just cant figure out on how to lift them, two deeps and two mediums.
The area behind the hives up over the hill is an irrigation pond that does not go dry. It is fed by a natural spring.
(http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/5826/dscf9029d.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/9/dscf9029d.jpg/)
Water source less than 50 feet from hives
(http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/7933/dscf9033.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/534/dscf9033.jpg/)
Three miles to the south and to the west of the hives is probbaly 90% Alfalfa fields. The farmer just cut this field but the second cutting will stand until seed.
(http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/808/dscf9034a.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/84/dscf9034a.jpg/)
This is looking to the North, another Alfalfa field. There is a grove of Russian Olive trees about 1/2 mile back also. Not sure if the bes like their blooms or not. There is also a ton of Yellow Sweet clover through out the ditch and fence rows.
(http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/7003/dscf9032g.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/541/dscf9032g.jpg/)
Looks hot out there without a shade tree in sight, (but it sure is hot here even in the shade). But it does look good out there.
I did think about that. I had another spot picked out by some trees and a old house but he didnt wnat them close to his parnets house, they have a pool and already have problems from the commercial beek that puts hives out there. I think they should be ok. I forgot to say the area to the left, to the east of the hives is al Prairie. The sun flowers are thick most of the years but Im not sure they will this year because of no rain. If I have to I can make a little "bee prot" using post and a sheet of plywood to shade them.
They will be fine out in the sun. I was more worried about you sweating yourself out. The heat has gotten here much too early this year.
I must say, that looks like a great bee yard. If you have SBB's and an upper entrance for ventilation I'd say you'll be in tall cotton. I don't know what kind of olives grow here in Missouri but they smell great when I'm turkey hunting. The bees work them pretty well.