Swarming in Michigan

[tefer2]

I'm having a glass of sweet cherry wine as I type. I like eating sweet cherries too.

[skflyfish]

Picked up my first swarm of the season near Newaygo, MI. It came from an abandoned hive that I set swarm traps around last year but never got anything. The hive has been abandoned for 15+ years according to the land owner, who had no idea there were any active hives still. Gave the swarm to the owners sister and now she is a beekeeper. ;-)

This old hive is amazing tale of perseverance. It is two deeps with the bottom deep half buried in the ground. I also brought a medium super to add to the hive and when I removed the cover there were at least a half dozen roaches crawling around, plus some little sugar ants. Despite swarming, the hive is still full of bees, the best I can tell looking through 15+ year old comb. I will post pictures when I get them uploaded.

But back at the home front, I have an overwintered double nuc that I had to put into a double deep before Easter. It is booming and the drones were flying in and out yesterday. Guess it filled another deep awfully quick. Need to check it this weekend.

Swarm season is here!!!

[Violales]

Cool photos! I'm fascinated. :-D