108 and no bearding whatsoever!!!

[Dane Bramage]

Nice.  Where is the top entrance on that cover?  I see them here ~>


I've talked my local beek supply into building those but w/o the top feeder option (shipping killed the deal from HoneyRun).. going to be testing them out soon.

It's been ~ 100°F the past two days here.  No real bearding.. probably the SBBs are helping with ventilation but I really want to get those vented inner-covers going soon.. especially before the wet winter (condensation was a killer last winter).

[2-Wheeler]

Dane,
My picture was from the rear of the hive. The top entrance is just the same as your photo, but not visible in the angle I used.  They shouldn't be hard to build. What you can't see from the photos is the plywood inner cover piece is nearly flush with the bottom and the top entrance is simply a dado opening that cuts into the bottom of that board on the underside. Sorry I don't have a photo of the inside of the front opening.

I don't use their top feeder, which was not provided. Also, now that I see their picture again, I remember I also added the screen to the central opening, to keep the bees from wandering into the open space above. 

[annette]

That is exactly what I did. I added the screen to cover up the inner hole, I also did not want those bees wandering around up on top.

[Dane Bramage]

Thx 2-Wheeler,

That makes sense... I was thinking the top entrance would be visible in your pic but forgot that it would be below the plywood piece.

Ditto on the screen.  I'm sure, given enough time, that "hive-space violation" would end up filled with burr comb were it accessible.  I'm going to call my supplier tomorrow and see if they've got my 40 covers ready yet.

[annette]

Thx 2-Wheeler,

That makes sense... I was thinking the top entrance would be visible in your pic but forgot that it would be below the plywood piece.

Ditto on the screen.  I'm sure, given enough time, that "hive-space violation" would end up filled with burr comb were it accessible.  I'm going to call my supplier tomorrow and see if they've got my 40 covers ready yet.

You can see the top entrance, but it is not visible in his photo.
Here is one of my hives.

[JP]

Hey Annette, is that the swamp cooler its next to??


...JP

[2-Wheeler]

Okay, here is the update with the time-lapse videos. I took two movies, both are at 120X speed (1 frame/2 seconds). The first video was taken mid-day. I know it is hard to see in the smaller compressed form, but what I noticed was that many bees landed and "rested" before walking slowly to the opening. There are also many bees who land and directly enter the hive. What I don't see is bees leaving the hive and walking up on the front of the hive. They predominately go the other way, making a gradual entrance.


The second video was taken from 7-8PM. Same story here, but many more bees landing at the same time, creating a bit of a traffic jam on the front. Again most take a brief rest before walking in. At the start of the sequence you see the "bearding" increasing, then it gradually reduces as they finish their rest and enter the hive.  The size of the beard on the front seems to be in proportion to the degree that the number landing is greater than the number entering the hive.


I'm not sure these videos prove anything, but watching the bees fascinates me and this behavior still puzzles me.  Enjoy.

[annette]

Hey Annette, is that the swamp cooler its next to??


...JP

You are looking at a haystack and a tent sitting in the distant. The swamp cooler goes on top of the roof of the house. Funny!!!!

[KONASDAD]

2-Wheeler- what you are seeing is washboarding. It sort of looks like a dance.

Dane- I get no burr comb in relation to this top. I dont even use the screen. Bees go up inside, but they do nothing up there. I like this cove a lot, but its real worth is in winter.
The top entrance, vents nicely w/o cooling the temps, I get no condensation even though I get days of 55F followed by 20F w/in ten hrs. It also helps w/ spring buildup as the temps are moderated
They should be easy to build too. I am just too busy. Shipping has become a problem w/ anything these days.

[2-Wheeler]

2-Wheeler- what you are seeing is washboarding. It sort of looks like a dance.

Hey thanks KONASDAD. I had never heard of washboarding, but after I Googled it, it does seem to match. I turned the camera up to full speed 60FPS and had another look at the motion and it is quite clear they are rocking back and forth. The Hygienics seem to be far more organized about it though, while the Italians are a bit more hap-hazard. 
Here is a good link on the subject:  Washboarding

I'll try to post some new movies of this motion on Becky's Bees & Blooms blog.

[Shawn]

2-wheeler, I was wondering if you were getting much of a flow up there. Here in the southeast corner we are no getting anything. I feel the drought is hurting the bees. The govenor just passed the bill to southeast Colorado counties to open some grasslands for the cattle because of the drought. I wish he could sign a bill to open some flowers!!

[KONASDAD]

2-Wheeler- what you are seeing is washboarding. It sort of looks like a dance.

Hey thanks KONASDAD. I had never heard of washboarding, but after I Googled it, it does seem to match. I turned the camera up to full speed 60FPS and had another look at the motion and it is quite clear they are rocking back and forth. The Hygienics seem to be far more organized about it though, while the Italians are a bit more hap-hazard. 
Here is a good link on the subject:  Washboarding

I'll try to post some new movies of this motion on Becky's Bees & Blooms blog.

Wasboarding and orientation flights are one of those "secret joys" of beekeeping. If you dont keep bees, you'll never see it. Its awesome. I love washboarding when they are lots of organized dancing going on!

[2-Wheeler]

2-wheeler, I was wondering if you were getting much of a flow up there. Here in the southeast corner we are no getting anything. I feel the drought is hurting the bees. The govenor just passed the bill to southeast Colorado counties to open some grasslands for the cattle because of the drought. I wish he could sign a bill to open some flowers!!

Shawn,
I can't explain it, but we are seeing the best flow we've ever had, but it is certainly dry with only 4" of rain so far this ear. OTOH, there seems to be plenty of irrigation water available this year due to a great snow-pack from last winter.

[Irwin]

It's 64 with a lite breeze and cloud and I have a small beard on my hive. My hive has swarmed twice in one day on the 7th of this month I think it was. I put on a super and had no problem until today. What do you all think.