Is this the queen? We are nubies at this...

[saritacoleman]

It's about 50% up from the bottom of the frame under givemeone's nose. ;-)

We are pretty sure this is her but want confirmation.

All of the frames have been drawn out. There is a capped brood on the broken frame that we moved to position #10. (we forgot zip ties...always something)

We added the upper deep today.

Hope all is well with everyone.


Sarita

[Robo]

Yup, that is her.

[JP]

Yes, almost dead center, pretty thing with nice golden brown abdomen.


...JP

[theriverhawk]

Good eye!  That's her!!

[saritacoleman]

Jumping for joy now! It's been a really crummy week (outside of the hive) so this made our day.

Thanks so much everyone!

Sarita

[pondman]

That's her.She looks nice. good job on spotting her.

Pondman

[givemeone]

Well, it isn't so much that we spotted her...we just take photos of each side of each frame.  We're usually too worried while doing the actual inspection to look for the queen.  We usually screw something up, or forget something every time we "go in."  Today the smoker wouldn't work and we forgot to scrape off the burr comb.   Photos are examined in great detail after the fact.  We were just lucky enough to have the queen "pose" for this pic.   No hive beetle spottings today.   :)

Took off the hive top feeder.  (too many ants and dead bees...)

Took out the entrance reducer...

Added an entrance feeder..

Added the second deep hive body.   :-D

Bees seem to be doing well.  

And it was very hot.  

oh yeah, put in a couple of beetle traps.

[beemaster]

Sarita's photo close-up

Although the comb around is busy with larva and pollen and such, it does look like she is looking for a clean cell to lay in - great pic!!! Pretty queen too.

Quick note on queens:

*Usually paler or slightly darker (more mono-toned) in color than workers with less predominant stripes
*Grows larger and longer as her reproductive system develops
*Is longer than workers, although about same thickness
*Has very short wings, swept back
*Has a shiny thorax (less hair than workers or drones)

Just observations on my end, but generally true. To find her quickly, I usually look for frames with very young larva (unless of course you can easily spot eggs) I tend to wear high powered 2.5X or better reading glasses to spot eggs well. It is often this frame or an adjacent one that she will be on.

I like to blur my eyes a bit out of focus, she will POP OUT at you as the only thing that appears to have solid colors when your eyes are blurred. And remember, as great as it is to spot and watch the queen, seeing young larva and eggs ARE a great indication she is around, even when you can't find her!

Great find!!! Welcome aboard the forum.