Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Bees In Miami on January 11, 2013, 10:41:15 pm

Title: I think 2013 is going to be a busy year! First Swarm retrieval today (1/11/13)
Post by: Bees In Miami on January 11, 2013, 10:41:15 pm
I will begin by saying to all my frozen Northern friends, I do think of you and empathize.  I know this isn't much of a post, but proof that spring is headed your way! 

Went on a call today with a couple fellow Beeks, anticipating we were doing a cut out (that's what we were expecting).  I switched out frames with foundation for empty frames last night expecting to be framing brood comb (yeah I'm a dummy, I'll have both next time!) .  Instead, it was a good sized swarm.   The swarm was on an outcropping/decorative roof 2 stories up.  Sorry, no pics of the swarm as I was a few minutes late, and they were waiting on me, my bad!!  :shock:   We brought a 5 gallon bucket to the roof to capture the swarm in, then transferred it to my hive box when we got it to the ground.   Locked up the bees, and they headed for their new home here with me.  This is the third area of our yard where I now have bees.  This stand will hold two more hives. 

I wanted to get some wax foundation in there, so took advantage of the orientation time to swap out the frames.   A few pics to encourage my frozen friends....Spring is coming!!! 

(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/bubbatim2008/Swarm1-11-13014.jpg)

(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/bubbatim2008/Swarm1-11-13015.jpg)

(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/bubbatim2008/Swarm1-11-13013.jpg)

(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f116/bubbatim2008/Swarm1-11-13019.jpg)

Everybody was looking quite content as dark approached.   I am pulling a frame of eggs & brood from one of my hives tomorrow for a trap out job, so I will find a nice frame of honey and maybe some brood for this hive, too.   I think it's going to be a very busy season....

Happy Bees to all!!    :cheer:
Title: Re: I think 2013 is going to be a busy year! First Swarm retrieval today (1/11/13)
Post by: AllenF on January 11, 2013, 10:47:57 pm
Sweet.
Title: Re: I think 2013 is going to be a busy year! First Swarm retrieval today (1/11/13)
Post by: Nature Coast Beek on January 12, 2013, 08:32:44 am
Nice indeed....free bees!

I'm just north of Tampa and did first hive inspection of 2013 and had drones being produced in the hive already. My persian lime tree is in full bloom and the lemon tree next to it is getting ready to bud. I've got my swarm traps ready to deploy first Saturday in Feb. I think for us in most parts of Florida Spring is in full swing already. Didn't even get a hard frost this year. Pollen counts for the next 3 days is close to 10.   :shock:

Title: Re: I think 2013 is going to be a busy year! First Swarm retrieval today (1/11/13)
Post by: Bees In Miami on January 12, 2013, 03:15:20 pm
Thanks AllenF and Natures Coast.  Natures Coast, I agree, we're in full swing now!  I will be going through my hives either today or tomorrow, and have a funny feeling I will be adding new supers, and doing another split!   It's been crazy here (and I love it!).  Like you, we have drones flying.  There were drones mingled in with this swarm, too.   I was forced to do a split in December against what seemed 'logical' at the time, but they queened it, and she's laying away.   We have family in New Port Richie, and we used to live in St Pete.  Someday we'll make it back to that coast! 
Title: Re: I think 2013 is going to be a busy year! First Swarm retrieval today (1/11/13)
Post by: bailey on January 12, 2013, 03:29:32 pm
I believe it will be an early spring myself. 
Here in southeast Louisiana we have red maple blooms budding.  White clover is still blooming. Japan plumb trees are blooming heavy.
Won't be long now.  I'm putting swarm traps and nucs together like a mad man.
Will be scouting new trapping areas tomorrow.
Bailey
Title: Re: I think 2013 is going to be a busy year! First Swarm retrieval today (1/11/13)
Post by: Starry-eyed Beek on January 12, 2013, 03:49:05 pm
To all of you, we envy your early spring as we are at -10 today. :laugh:(7100 elevation)