The bees are now just loaded down with pollen. Noticed today that the apples, wild plum,and red maples beginning to bloom. It seams a little earlier than normal but I won't complain. :evil:
Dallas,
I'm right there with you. My bees were flying like crazy today. Droves of bees with pollen coming into the hives. I had an older gentleman beekeeper with me and he was amazed at how they were coming and going. I would almost bet that queen is starting to build up. I'm not sure what is going on but I sure hope it doesn't freeze or become a hard winter anytime soon. I really think the bees will suffer it does. Not only will they suffer from chill brood but also due to the blooms and other foliage freezing. It's gotta hurt the nectar flow.
Scott
Ditto in NC. White, green, and yellow pollen. And lots of it.
Same in central MS......yellow gold and burnt orange pollen..ladies had bags full of it.
Raining now and temps are to drop to the low 30s..
Wow. What a change. I guess thats why they call it weather. Tomorrow we are in for a temp shock.
I have 6 hives of bees at this time. 4 of those are slam full x2 bodies deep With mid spring brood patterns. Lots of fresh nector ripening from what??
Today highs 70's/Tomorrow highs in 40's.
I guess tomorrow the bees will be about as confused as the local weather girl.
Howdy All
Yuo guys are right my girls have awesome brood patterns and they won't take any syrup. They are bringin pollen from some where around here and i have seen they fanning but it is going to rain tonite or tomarrow and then be freezing at nite a cool during the day. I was hoping it wouldmhave stayed cold but now my girls are in for a big surprise and i even seen a drone flying. But with febuary coming lets hope they make it thru that month into march and if they do aleast they will have built up some then they can finish in march.
Tom
-5 F tonight. Nothing blooming here.
The Washington Post did an article last week about all of the plants that are blooming here. It's was an amazing array and it's been warmer since, actually hitting 73 F one day last week. I assume that our bees are bringing in some nectar in addition to the obvious quantities of pollen. About to get colder though.
Quote from: gottabee on January 15, 2007, 08:37:14 PM
. Lots of fresh nector ripening from what??
Have you big willow trees there? They give a lot pure yellow pollen and nactar. Some are big trees.
Willows are boys and girls. Girls give nectar.
Here is
girl willow(http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/images/tea-leaved%20willow1.jpg)
We have a lot of feral Engllish weeping willows here, big move to try to eradicate them from our bush. Very invasive they are. Theres one out the back of my place that I want gone. Spoils my view of the sky and sucks millions of gallons of water out of the table.
Anyone got a chainsaw?
ok get ready for Mr NEGITIVITY (me), with all these early blooms or budding plants its a bad sign yet to come, these plants are going to bloom and then lose there buds so early only giving a small percent of the pollen they usually give out because of frost or maybe even ice or snow, I still say it is very messed up year. I would hate to lose all my fruit tree blooms again this year but it ain't looking good........just thought I would throw in a shoot of reality!!!! ;)
I agree Ted. It can't be good. I just pray it doesn't get too cold. The old timers tell me it will. They say Feb is going to be bad.
Scott
Its cold here to lost alot of orange trees because of the cold
kirk-o
What's been nice about this warm weather for a 1st year beek.. we've gotten to see
our bees all winter long. Looks like a week of cold coming our way.
I've been open feeding since Dec... the girls have been flying all winter & pollen intake has greatly increase w/in the last 2-3 weeks. I feed about 100 ft from the hives.. been using a plate covered w/ a paper towel.. w/ a 1 gallon bucket. No fighting.. but they crowd each other around the plate.. all you see is 3 rows of bee butts. I added a 2nd feeder this weekend.
Got some Feed Bee & made up a small batch.. I made it up to a "peanut butter" consistancy.. and spread it on a frame of foundation on one side. I put one frame in each hive to see if the bee's will do anything w/ it. I looked the next day.. but it was so warm out.. looked like full flight activity.. you could see the pollen coming in.
Also noticed mite drop increase.. and a few dwv bee's on the ground. Everything's early this year!
Oh yes the weather is really weird
kirk-o
Its colder than a Step-Mothers Kiss
kirk-o
Quote from: Kirk-o on January 16, 2007, 10:44:42 AM
Its colder than a Step-Mothers Kiss
kirk-o
She must be a hot woman..? :) :-D
It is only minus 34 C this morning and a nice sunny, cloudless sky...
Regards,
Trot
My bees have been bringing in yellow, orange and red pollen. I have to assume they're bringing in nectar too, because I swear I think the hives are a little heavier than last week. Probably wishful thinking on my part. They've even been doing orientation flights! Cold weather coming now for about a week at least. But yeah -- what about February?
-- Kris
The maple producers here are already geared up for syrup production.It seems early but I'm not sure about it.
I know they say the earlier the flow starts, the more they gather.
Wow that seems like a good local.Maple syrup and honey you lucky Dog
kirk-o
Yesterday 75 Today 45 and droping. Mother nature sure is in a fickle mood.
I thought I was going crazy (er) when I saw a drone. Its nice to have company! For sure several drone cells were evident in the brood.