Maayan & I visit the hive
Maayan at the hive
After I took Maayan kicking and screaming (not really) to the hive, she really had a great time. We approached the hive, got the smoker going and started warning the bees that we had arrived. I find using the smoker easier now that I empty the contents every time I start and build a small fire in it before I add the leaves. I have a plastic bag with pine needles and eucalyptus leaves which I use for the fire/smoke. 
It has a nice smell and even when I get home I can smell the smoke on my hands and clothes and when it doesn’t remind me of Laphroig or Lagavulin single malt scotch (flashback to the Berman Scotch Club with Pinchas), it reminds me of the hive and honey.
The hive is doing great, lots of new brood and fair amount of honey. I did not go through the hive, frame by frame, but did manage to pull frames on either end, the second to last frames and a centre frame that came with the nuc and is very heavy.
New and old Langstroth frames
It was a real chore getting it out. I first use a “J” hive tool and pull the edge of the frame up. Then I take the other hive tool and use it block the edge of the frame from slipping back into the hive. Then I take the hive tool and pry at the other end of the frame. With two side loosened and a few inches over the top of the other frames, I use my fingers to pull the frame straight up. Sometimes I wonder if I should invest in a frame grip, a small device that allows you to pull the frame up from the centre of the frame.
Fresh comb
I found the frame on the far side to be built up with comb. The base foundation that I saw a week ago is almost all covered by comb at this point. When I replaced the frame I actually put in last slot, allowing the bees to start working on it before they get to the frame that already has a fair amount of comb. Take a look at the photo of the darkened frame. It weighs a lot more than the other frames because it came from the nuc and it is loaded with good stuff.
By this point Maayan joined me and quickly overcame her fear of bees. In a matter of minutes she started playing with one of the bees at the edge of a frame, using the hive tool I had given her to hold. I had visions of a squashed bee, sending out signals to her sister bees to attack us, so I suggested to Maayan that she be a little more gentle with the bee. I put the frames back in their hive, notices some small ants on the bottom board as well as some fine dark droppings. Is this the dreaded Varroa mites leaving their mark? Next time, when Alison comes with me, I will remove more frames and photograph the bottom of the hive. I put the feeder back on and gave them another gallon of sugar water, placed the crown board on and said goodbye to our noisy friends.
Chicken eggs in an incubator
We then headed over to Sue and Harry’s. Sue had emailed me to tell me that two chicks had hatched and the girls could come see them. Maayan insisted on removing her bee suit, having already proved to anyone watching that she was a big girl and not afraid of bees. She is a little fashion expert and I think that now that she was not doing the bee thing on the farm, she should switch back to her elegant city clothes, suitable for visiting newborn chicks.
There were a whole lot of eggs sitting in plastic incubator. Sue explained that two had already hatched they were in a box with a hanging light bulb to keep them warm. They were adorable and Sue allowed Maayan (fearless at this point) to hold the chicks.
Maayan holding a chick on a moshav near Rehovot, Israel
May 13, 2009 10:06 pm