Wisnewbee here again with another question.
In selecting a site for my new hive I have narrowed it down to a couple of choices with one being what I believe to be the best location. I'd like to again tap into the extensive knowledge pool to finalize my selection.
Here's the setup I have. I live on a working dairy farm, but it's not my farm. :'( The front of the house faces due South. The driveway and garage are on the West side of the house. The barn and animals are also on the West side of the house. The North side is the backyard and oversees a large Ag field. It will be field corn the next 2-3 years, then will rotate to alfalfa for 3-5 years. The East side of the house adjoins a grass pasture of about 3 acres. Can't put the hives in the pasture. There may be sheep in there during the summer. Don't ask why. :? I could put the 2 hives in the front against the house, but this would put the hives in the shade for several hours each morning, and again in the evening because I'm so far North. 1 hive may also shadow the other hive. The second site is on the East side of the house. This location would result in the hives being in shade for second half of the day. It would shade then during the hottest time of the day however. I'm not overly concerned about the heat. Summer of 2009 we never had a day over 89 degrees. The third site, and the one I am leaning towards is about 50 yards from the back of the house in a Northeast direction. There is a larger Hemlock (pine) tree near there. I would face the hive entrances to the East (towards the corn field). This would provide for the earliest morning sun, and sun for most of the day. I can position the hive so the shadow of the Hemlock tree moves through the hive area during the hottest parts of the day. The downside of this location is exposure to the North and Northwest winter winds. If I put up a windblock, it will only cause the heavy snowfall to drift at the hives. I do have an alternative site out in the "back forty", about a 1/4 mile away, but if the snow is deep you can't make it back there without snowshoes. I would also have to deal with the very real possibilities of bears and raccoons. We do have bears here, wolves too. The "back forty" location does offer select shade and protection from the winds. It's up against a wooded area. Woods on three sides. What do you recommend? Please play nice when you answer. Thanks.
Wisnewbee