OK So I didn't get that many pics, because they were working fairly quickly and my camera doesn't snap pics that fast (note to self, invest in better camera)
So I'll share the few pics I did get, but I can't really explain what was going on in each pic, or which frame we were on, etc.
I can tell you that there was a lot of talk about the hot side and cold side of a hive - meaning I guess bees build up the hot side first?? And they said bees build from the middle out - to which I replied mine did not. They started on the left (facing hive, right if you stand behind hive) and moved to the other side gradually.
They also talked about splitting a hive - which confused me some - and they said as big as this colony was, it's a good hive candidate to split (and they suggested doing it soon so it isn't too late in the year) and they also talked about moving frames (honey filled) to encourage to the bees to work the more empty frames but to NOT split the brood when doing this. Kind of confusing, and something I'm not ready to try.
They did not use a smoker on the bees. The hive owner gives them a light misting of Honey Bee Healthy mixed with sugar water, and then pulls out the frames. He started in May (just like I did) and both of his bottom deeps are heavily worked - brood, a few small empty (haven't been built up to grow a queen) queen cells (and he didn't remove them from the frames, either), very busy busy bees - and even though I had borrowed my mom's veil, I was very uncomfortable around his bees. They just seemed more excitable than mine do? does that make sense? It could also be because he has double or triple the numbers my colony has (most likely because his didn't suffer the set back mine did
)
His cappings over brood were dark, almost orange to brown, where my cappings over brood have been lighter yellow. He did have a couple frames that had lighter yellow cappings like mine - but it sure makes me want to look at color of cappings in my hive again (I'll be doing that this morning after I get the sugar water made).
The edges of some of the frames had a lot of burr comb. He doesn't save this, as they are not interested in the melting down of wax (at least not right now anyway) for making other things (candles, lip balm, etc.) The burr comb is tossed in a bucket and carried far off from the hive to be disposed of to prevent skunk invasions (he explained he also has chickens and doesn't want the skunks getting to them, either.)
Also, his veil was over top a straw hat. Before opening the hive he explained how he hasn't been stung - yet. Several bees towards the end got into his hat, and began stinging his face and back of his neck. he took of down the hill, ripped off his hat and veil, and waved his arms around crazily. Wasn't funny, but yet it was, and he seemed to take the teasing he got ins tride
For the best part of the bee meeting, you'll have to check out my journal
(later)
So, without further ado - here's the pics -
