Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Moots on February 23, 2014, 11:30:07 pm
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Last Sunday, I started a thread on the Equipment forum.. (http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,43718.0.html), seeking advice on building an observation hive.
Thanks to everyone who offered their opinions and advice, rwurster was nice enough to point me in the direction of specialkayme, who's been offering numerous detailed post sharing his knowledge, experience and opinions, which was greatly appreciated.
That being said, it's been a fun project...it's still a work in progress, but it's coming together. I still need to paint it and put some hardware on the door, but I set it up in the workshop took a second to snap a couple pictures.
Ultimately, the mounting bracket will mount into a window seal which will allow the hive to swivel perpendicular to the window for viewing and parallel to the window to be out of the way when not being viewed.
I know being by the window could potentially be a problem with direct sunlight, however, this particular spot is protect by a 6+ foot overhang. I'm thinking it "should" be alright. If not, I've got some contingency plans... :laugh:
Anyway, here's a couple of pics....
(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s664/jeffrobert41183/Bees/Observation%20Hive/5B1D9246-BB7B-46EF-8B8F-4C581D8FF593_zpsxpuzpi94.jpg)
(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s664/jeffrobert41183/Bees/Observation%20Hive/2F5ECD45-8075-4F30-AC8C-78C41FF445EA_zpslzfqkl6u.jpg)
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Moots,
Looks pretty good.
Jim
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Looks fantastic mate!! Going to be a serious talking point when you get your girls in there! If you don't mind me asking - how do you open it to work the frames?
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Looks fantastic mate!! Going to be a serious talking point when you get your girls in there! If you don't mind me asking - how do you open it to work the frames?
Thanks sawdstmakr and CJ...
CJ, One of the glass sides will be fixed and the other will allow access, either as a door via hinges, or completely held in places with latches and completely removable, hadn't quite decided as of yet. Anyway, when I need access, I'll plug the tube, pull the pin on the bottom mount, lift the hive off the pin on the top mount, carry it outside, open it up, and do whatever needs to be done.... At least, that's the theory! :-D
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Wow! Now that's an observation hive! Can't wait to see it full with bees…... 8-)
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Moots, that looks really great!! I hope to build one myself, eventually. I want to build one I can travel with for demonstrations. You mentioned moving the hive outside to open it. Heavy?? A little bit? It might be a good idea to add a couple of handles on each side so you and a buddy can move it easier. You probably all ready have that going. Good stuff. :)
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Moots, that looks really great!! I hope to build one myself, eventually. I want to build one I can travel with for demonstrations. You mentioned moving the hive outside to open it. Heavy?? A little bit? It might be a good idea to add a couple of handles on each side so you and a buddy can move it easier. You probably all ready have that going. Good stuff. :)
Thanks T Beek and Chux...
Chux, yeah, this is definitely NOT the lug around travel size model. :laugh:
The plans I followed didn't have handles, however, I did think of that as an option and will probably end up mounting some. I'm thinking it will have some weight to it, but a good set of handles would probably keep it manageable for a single person, not to mention helping avoid a slip or drop by either one or two people moving it.
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That's top notch!
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How warm/cold does it get in that shop? I am looking to populate an observation hive next year. A shed/shop would be great but I wonder about overheating.
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that makes me want one. how about a wider base with some casters? just roll it when you need to move it out.
anyway, it looks great.
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Very nice..like your shop even better..unfortunately i have all the equipment..AND NO ROOM TO WORK...post picks with bees..bty i lost one of my 7 hives to date..tough winter up here this year..will do a post mortum asap...still snow on the ground.
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You have some skills! I need one!
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That looks good Moots. I am having one built. My skills would not allow me to make one that look that good. Mine is going to be an eight frame medium also.
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Thanks GSF, 10framer, Edgy, and Sterling...you are all too kind! :)
How warm/cold does it get in that shop? I am looking to populate an observation hive next year. A shed/shop would be great but I wonder about overheating.
Bush,
I just threw it up as I was working on it....whenever I actually populate it, it will be in my house.
Very nice..like your shop even better..unfortunately i have all the equipment..AND NO ROOM TO WORK...post picks with bees..bty i lost one of my 7 hives to date..tough winter up here this year..will do a post mortum asap...still snow on the ground.
Thanks Rich,
Actually, that's my Brother-in-Law's shop...Easton's family...It sure is nice and convenient, right next door! Sort of like having a friend with a nice boat. :-D
I will definitely get some pics up whenever it's done, installed, and populated.
Sorry to hear about your losing a hive, not sure if I posted it or not, but I also lost one about a month ago or so!
Stay warm!
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Very nice..like your shop even better..unfortunately i have all the equipment..AND NO ROOM TO WORK
That's the problem in my shop also.... Way too many tools for the size of the shop! Had to go from a 24x36 to a 20x28 when I moved over from the mainland.
Moots, what do you estimate the weight so far? Looks like it will be a "buggah" to move!
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Beautiful.....single frames? at least that is how it looks in the picture. Had to drag my husband, Jim, in to see it. I want one!!!!!
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Looks great Moots. Obviously your wife is much more open to the idea of having bees IN THE HOUSE than mine will ever be. LOL
More pictures as you proceed please.
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Beautiful.....single frames? at least that is how it looks in the picture. Had to drag my husband, Jim, in to see it. I want one!!!!!
Of course I don't know Jim but I would say he can't wait to build you one. :)
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Moots, what do you estimate the weight so far? Looks like it will be a "buggah" to move!
Royall,
You got me curious, good question, so I decided to get an official weight on it. As pictured, Hive body frame, both glass doors, and the eight medium frames...46 pounds. All that remains is a little hardware to secure the doors, maybe a couple of handles, and a couple coats of paint...plus whatever the bees, wax, brood and honey add to the mix. I'm thinking it'll be fine, but plan B is to add a small wire cable with a turnbuckle from the wall above the top hinge to the upper outside corner to lend additional support.
Beautiful.....single frames? at least that is how it looks in the picture. Had to drag my husband, Jim, in to see it. I want one!!!!!
Thanks Carol...yes it's single stack, eight medium frames.
Looks great Moots. Obviously your wife is much more open to the idea of having bees IN THE HOUSE than mine will ever be. LOL
More pictures as you proceed please.
hjon,
Sometimes I just go with the theory that it's easier to get forgiveness than permission. :-D
Actually, I've always thought that I would eventually get around to building an OH, but it wasn't necessarily at the top of my to do list. However, it's my wife that kept hinting for it....she would give me the look every time someone would utter the words "observation hive". That was right up until she saw the size of it. :laugh: But if I was going to go through the trouble of having one, I wanted it to be large enough to have a better shot at being sustainable. Anyway, since I showed her how it'll swing out the way when not being viewed, I "think" I'm on a little more solid ground...we'll see!
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@Moots:
A wire to take the possibility of sag out of the equation is a good idea. Stress on the frame like that and it could (remote but) break the glass. That could get a little dicey! LOL
Talking about this brought back a memory of a Tourist trap Jelly and honey stand on highway 101 on the Southern Oregon coast south of Bandon. They had a OH but was quite small. If I remember right, it only had one or two frames. I would stand and stare at it every time we would stop when in the area.
More pictures would be a plus here!!
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Looks good! Mine is very similar though it is only 5 deep frames. http://s196.photobucket.com/user/Drew454/library/Observation%20Hive?sort=3&page=1 (http://s196.photobucket.com/user/Drew454/library/Observation%20Hive?sort=3&page=1) From experience I would recommend a few things.
1. I only see one exit hole. I've got only a 2" hole and it becomes very congested in during flow. Because your hive is roughly 1/2 again larger than mine you'll have more congestion issues if your hole is the same size. You can't easily enlarge the hole because of the width of an OB hive, consider adding another one.
2. Weight. Mine comes off exactly like yours does. Add comfortable hand grips to the sides. It's very cumbersome as I take it outside and can weigh around 60 pounds right before winter. Yours will weigh more. Make a dolly of some form so you can immediately set it down, strap it and wheel it outside to work it. Give the dolly a wide stance as it will want to tip over.
3. Make sure your bottom board is wide to help with stability when it's open and your working them. I've had it almost blow over with slight breezes because the height catches wind like a sale. Huge pucker factor when you see it move and you're in the middle of something that you can't set down quickly.
4. Hinge your door. You'll get into the hive more than you might think especially at the start. Unscrewing the door is not much fun but use some nice hinges and hardware that can bear weight. There's a whole lot of torque and replacing bent hinges stinks.
5. Covers. Make them out of thin plywood so it looks professional and protects the glass when moving the hive. Use twist screen latches to hold your covers on. It make it very easy to remove/replace the cover.
It really looks good. You'll love it even more once it gets some bees in it.
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Looks good! Mine is very similar though it is only 5 deep frames. http://s196.photobucket.com/user/Drew454/library/Observation%20Hive?sort=3&page=1 (http://s196.photobucket.com/user/Drew454/library/Observation%20Hive?sort=3&page=1) From experience I would recommend a few things.
1. I only see one exit hole. I've got only a 2" hole and it becomes very congested in during flow. Because your hive is roughly 1/2 again larger than mine you'll have more congestion issues if your hole is the same size. You can't easily enlarge the hole because of the width of an OB hive, consider adding another one.
2. Weight. Mine comes off exactly like yours does. Add comfortable hand grips to the sides. It's very cumbersome as I take it outside and can weigh around 60 pounds right before winter. Yours will weigh more. Make a dolly of some form so you can immediately set it down, strap it and wheel it outside to work it. Give the dolly a wide stance as it will want to tip over.
3. Make sure your bottom board is wide to help with stability when it's open and your working them. I've had it almost blow over with slight breezes because the height catches wind like a sale. Huge pucker factor when you see it move and you're in the middle of something that you can't set down quickly.
4. Hinge your door. You'll get into the hive more than you might think especially at the start. Unscrewing the door is not much fun but use some nice hinges and hardware that can bear weight. There's a whole lot of torque and replacing bent hinges stinks.
5. Covers. Make them out of thin plywood so it looks professional and protects the glass when moving the hive. Use twist screen latches to hold your covers on. It make it very easy to remove/replace the cover.
It really looks good. You'll love it even more once it gets some bees in it.
**emphasis added
D,
Yours looks great...and you're right, I can't wait to get some bees in it! :-D
Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences and advice. One questions...You say yours is 5 Deeps, mine is 5 Mediums...I think that makes them basically the same size...doesn't it? Were you thinking my was 8 deeps, are am I missing something?
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D,
Yours looks great...and you're right, I can't wait to get some bees in it! :-D
Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences and advice. One questions...You say yours is 5 Deeps, mine is 5 Mediums...I think that makes them basically the same size...doesn't it? Were you thinking my was 8 deeps, are am I missing something?
Well... that's a good point. I didn't do the math. I guess yours looks a whole lot bigger than mine (insert joke here). Indeed mine is 5 deep and the interior height is 48". If my math is right, yours should be around 53" 3/8's accounting for bee space. Mine gets congested at the entrance and exit during high activity times that they will beard at the outside entrance well into the evening and there's no more traffic trying to come out. It's not because they are hot, they are in air conditioning. If I was to do it again I'd put 2 exits.
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Moots,
I also see 8 medium frames, 4 with foundation and 4 with just empty frames. Is that correct?
Jim
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Moots, I was wondering if your OH will also have solid sides to keep the light out when your not viewing it? Does too much daylight bother the bees?
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Moots, I was wondering if your OH will also have solid sides to keep the light out when your not viewing it? Does too much daylight bother the bees?
Edgy,
Yes, I made some inserts to fit where the glass is...It's my understanding that they don't like the light and it's best to keep it butttoned up when not actively watching them.
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Moots, I was wondering if your OH will also have solid sides to keep the light out when your not viewing it? Does too much daylight bother the bees?
Edgy,
Yes, I made some inserts to fit where the glass is...It's my understanding that they don't like the light and it's best to keep it butttoned up when not actively watching them.
I was wondering the same thing. I keep mine buttoned up when we are not looking at it.
I did see a video of a college student talking about bees and in the background you can see a OH that is not covered and I suspect they never did.
I think the biggest problem is getting them settled in and once they are well situated they will stay.
My bees are in a closed in patio with large windows and if I didn't keep them covered they would have direct sunlight on the east side in the morning. That would cause problems.
Maybe some one here knows the full answer?
Jim
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Moots, I was wondering if your OH will also have solid sides to keep the light out when your not viewing it? Does too much daylight bother the bees?
Edgy,
Along these lines, I stumbled across this research article with the following quote:
"Incidentally, I note that in the 30 years that I have managed observation hives, I have always kept them in
a lighted room, either from a window or artificial light from a bulb, always shielding them from direct
sunlight. I have never seen any evidence that exposure to light stops the hive from functioning normally.
It is true that bees are extremely phototropic, and that if you suddenly raise a window shade they will all,
in one collective movement, move towards the source of light. But, after a while, once the source is a
constant part of their environment, they will soon resume normal behavior."
Here's the link to the full article! (http://www.classroomhives.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Observation-hives-full-article-Jeff-Murray.pdf) The above quote is on page 11.
Wondering what's everyone's thoughts on this...
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OK,
Managed to finish my OH and get it installed this past week. Just in a nick of time, caught a swarm later yesterday and decided to load them into the observation hive, which went well. I had a few concerns which I had started another thread on, but I'm glad to report that as of today the bees are coming and going and I think things are looking up, assuming they on't decide to abscond on me.
Other thread about swarm and OH conerns! (http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,43913.0.html)
Anyway, I had snapped some photos after the install but hadn't had time to post them yet, so here they are....
I'm trying not to disturb my new tenants, but assuming they hang around for the next couple days, I'll get some more pics with the bees.
Swung into the room, full view mode.
(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s664/jeffrobert41183/Bees/Observation%20Hive/715006E0-9AA0-48BE-B9F3-A3E64FC4CB21_zpseoylvbrk.jpg)
View from other side with removable door...
(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s664/jeffrobert41183/Bees/Observation%20Hive/6006D61D-C0EB-4DCA-BBF5-05B316B545BF_zpsa14bezua.jpg)
Door side with window covers in place
(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s664/jeffrobert41183/Bees/Observation%20Hive/20A64C2A-046C-46E6-BD5B-44ADE6915EAA_zps6wcxfiux.jpg)
Swung to storage position with glass covers in place
(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s664/jeffrobert41183/Bees/Observation%20Hive/23859B19-AF34-4FC2-B405-43A7EDE44E18_zpsi4jycpzc.jpg)
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Looks great!! Now all you need is a recliner close by and a red light to see by. Forget the TV
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Bravo Moots! Looks fantastic! X:X
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Looks magic mate - cant wait to see it full of your bees!! :) Going to be a few hours spent next to it id imagine!!
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👍 That's craftsmanship!! Nice :)
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Very nice moots. I can see me attempting that now...... not even a remote chance :-D
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Looks great, Moots. Dadant's in High Springs used to have one very similar, I spent a lot of time standing around watching it. That's probably why they took it down.
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Thanks to everyone for the kind words...3 days + change and they're still here and seem to be settling in, drawing comb, and doing housekeeping....Keeping my fingers crossed! :-D
(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s664/jeffrobert41183/Bees/Observation%20Hive/B2C5CCCF-99F7-4C55-BA1F-9ACFDC9CAA37_zps4esmpvtg.jpg)
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SWEET Moots...Very Very SWEET..awesome job.
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You have a right to be proud Moots.
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I'm jealous :-D
Looks even better with bees in it.
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Looks absolutely fantastic Moots!!! So jealous! A winter project FOR SURE! :) :) :)
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I’m almost speechless for a change. :idunno:
What can I say, but well done Moots. X:X Very nice looking ob hive.
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Looks great moots. That is one heavy swarm. It usually takes months for my OH to cover all of the frames like that. Did you put some honey frames in there or is that just white foundation?
Jim
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WTG Moots
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I’m almost speechless for a change. :idunno:
What can I say, but well done Moots. X:X Very nice looking ob hive.
Thanks Blue...Much appreciated!
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Jim,
Didn't give them any honey, just gave them 2 frames of drawn comb and 6 with wax foundation. I put the two drawn frames at the bottom, which after I was finished I questioned myself on whether or not I should have put them at the top....still not sure what's the best answer there. :?
They've cleaned up the two drawn frames nicely and I'd say are actively drawing comb on probably 4 of the 6 frames of wax foundation. When I loaded it Saturday, I gave them a quart of Sugar water, which I don't think they touched until yesterday...they've dropped the level maybe an 1 or 1 1/2 inches.
Lots of traffic when the weather has been pretty, but I haven't noticed any pollen coming in yet...I'm wondering if that's because they are concentrating on nectar to help them draw comb. :? I'm really not sure.
Hopefully, I'll see some signs of a laying queen in the near future. Up till now I haven't viewed it much...trying to let them settle in without too much disturbance. Starting to feel a little more comfortable that they've decided to stay, so I'll start "observing" a little more.
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Jim,
Didn't give them any honey, just gave them 2 frames of drawn comb and 6 with wax foundation. I put the two drawn frames at the bottom, which after I was finished I questioned myself on whether or not I should have put them at the top....still not sure what's the best answer there. :?
They've cleaned up the two drawn frames nicely and I'd say are actively drawing comb on probably 4 of the 6 frames of wax foundation. When I loaded it Saturday, I gave them a quart of Sugar water, which I don't think they touched until yesterday...they've dropped the level maybe an 1 or 1 1/2 inches.
Lots of traffic when the weather has been pretty, but I haven't noticed any pollen coming in yet...I'm wondering if that's because they are concentrating on nectar to help them draw comb. :? I'm really not sure.
Hopefully, I'll see some signs of a laying queen in the near future. Up till now I haven't viewed it much...trying to let them settle in without too much disturbance. Starting to feel a little more comfortable that they've decided to stay, so I'll start "observing" a little more.
Glad to here it.
I am going to hold off replenishing my hive until I get a swarm. I never put a swarm in it before but after seeing yours, I will have to try it.
I have never seen a single piece of wax on a bee. Have you seen it yet? I do see it in the cleanout tray.
I think you are right, the house bees need nectar to make wax and that is what they beg for. Once the brood starts to hatch, I bet it will change.
Jim
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A bit of good news...Ran home for lunch today, and look who I spotted! :shock:
Youtube Video! (http://youtu.be/oAYh6nv0Z5I)
Jim,
Yes I have seen wax on bees, the only time I've ever noticed it is with swarms. I vacuumed up a swarm last year and put the catch bucket on the front seat to keep them cool for the ride home, got home and the seat was covered with tiny wax flakes. It was at that time that I noticed all the small wax flakes on the underside of the bees. Probably explains why swarms are such wax drawing machines. :-D
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I couldn't help but smile for you Moots watching that video. Great job. She's laying so you've officially got yourself an up and running OB hive.
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I couldn't help but smile for you Moots watching that video. Great job. She's laying so you've officially got yourself an up and running OB hive.
Thanks D...when I spotted her and she backed that long rear end into a cell, I was as happy as a kid on Christmas morning! :-D
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That's exactly why I was smiling. I know how you felt. After all that work, then to actually see it begin to succeed with a queen laying right in front of you? It feeds the soul.
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Nice Moots...great video...amazing how attentive all her attendants are around her, she must be immiting great phermones.
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Nice Moots, I like how you can see her very clearly. I usually get mostly reflections off of the window. Did you say that is glass or plexiglas or acrylic. I am going to replace the pane in my OH this week.
Jim
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I would love to beable to watch that. I have to be content to sit with my binoculars and watch the front porchs.
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Nice Moots, I like how you can see her very clearly. I usually get mostly reflections off of the window. Did you say that is glass or plexiglas or acrylic. I am going to replace the pane in my OH this week.
Jim
Jim,
It's glass, I tried to avoid getting the reflections, but it's tough...I'm going to try to come up with a plan to help capture better pictures and video...but I was relatively happy with the quality of the video...
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Nice Moots, I like how you can see her very clearly. I usually get mostly reflections off of the window. Did you say that is glass or Plexiglas or acrylic. I am going to replace the pane in my OH this week.
Jim
Jim,
It's glass, I tried to avoid getting the reflections, but it's tough...I'm going to try to come up with a plan to help capture better pictures and video...but I was relatively happy with the quality of the video...
Thanks, I think I will use glass also. I thought that the acrylic panes were pretty clear even though I could never see eggs in the cells. When I opened it and looked from the inside out, it was terrible foggy. Very hard to see through. I will have to get the same thickness as the acrylic panes but how thick is your glass. I used acrylic because I was concerned with it being broke in the house with 10,000 bees in it.
Jim
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Jim,
My glass is 1/8" thick, and just regular glass.
I read a lot and heard a lot about people using 1/4" as well as tempered and safety glass. I know some talk about making them child and pet proof...Neither of which I have.
So, I just couldn't see going that thick as being necessary. 1/8" glass is twice as think as a standard windowpane...and I don't think my OH will be subjected to any more abuse than a regular windowpane.
Also, 1/8" glass is twice as cheap as 1/4", which is nice, but possibly more important, it's half the weight.
Honestly, after making the decision to purchase the 1/8" glass instead of the 1/4" glass, I had some serious second thoughts and wondered if I had messed up. But now that it's assembled and up, I'm completely comfortable with the decision.
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Moots,
Sounds like glass will be much better. Not sure if the acrylic is 3/16 or 1/8 but if it was 3/16 I think there is enough room if it was at least 3/16".
Thanks.
Jim
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Also, 1/8" glass is twice as cheap as 1/4", which is nice, but possibly more important, it's half the weight.
Honestly, after making the decision to purchase the 1/8" glass instead of the 1/4" glass, I had some serious second thoughts and wondered if I had messed up. But now that it's assembled and up, I'm completely comfortable with the decision.
Dead on about the weight. Mine is the 1/4" glass that I recycled from large chipped desk top here. It's very heavy but being in a commercial building with customers and employees coming in and out daily a thinner glass wasn't an option due to safety concerns. I would have done the same thing you did Moots if it was in my home.
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I know I'm a little bit late but, beautiful work. That is the best looking OH I have ever seen. I don't think that my wife would buy into bees in the house but your efforts make it look great. That video was something to watch.
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I know I'm a little bit late but, beautiful work. That is the best looking OH I have ever seen. I don't think that my wife would buy into bees in the house but your efforts make it look great. That video was something to watch.
Thanks RH....As for the wife "buying into bees in the house"...Sometimes you have to go with the, "It's easier to get forgiveness than permission", approach! :-D :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
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I know I'm a little bit late but, beautiful work. That is the best looking OH I have ever seen. I don't think that my wife would buy into bees in the house but your efforts make it look great. That video was something to watch.
RH,
My wife was dead set against having bees in HER house. Now it is her hive. :-D
Jim
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Thanks RH....As for the wife "buying into bees in the house"...Sometimes you have to go with the, "It's easier to get forgiveness than permission", approach! :-D :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
You just have to know how to pick your battles. It's kinda like siege warfare. You just have to wear um down. Having an example like yours has her saying things like "Where could we put something like that" rather than "No way". I think you helped me make some headway. I'm just not sure I can match your level of craftsmanship.
Jim, I know that it would be that way. She doesn't know it yet. I think I'll attempt one in the garage first. :)
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I could most likely get my husband to build me one...but we live in a mobile home in hurricane territory...with lots of big trees all around us within falling distance. Might be a bit of a problem if one fell on it. Have considered the enclosed porch..that way we could close it off if we had to.
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Quick update...
Managed to snap a quick picture of some Larva this morning, I'm thinking my first larva should be getting capped no later than this Friday and I should be getting my first batch of baby bees by April 2nd.... :-D
(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s664/jeffrobert41183/Bees/Observation%20Hive/FirstLarva_zps38916030.jpg)
Same Picture....with Larva marked!
(http://i1311.photobucket.com/albums/s664/jeffrobert41183/Bees/Observation%20Hive/FirstLarvahighlighted_zpsb5946b76.jpg)
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I could most likely get my husband to build me one...but we live in a mobile home in hurricane territory...with lots of big trees all around us within falling distance. Might be a bit of a problem if one fell on it. Have considered the enclosed porch..that way we could close it off if we had to.
Carol,
That is a good idea. When I take the OH outside, some always get out between the 2 cut out doors. I just close the doors to the house. The bees always go to the windows and I just use one of those hand vacuums to collect them up and let them outside.
Jim
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Looking good Moots. Can you see the eggs through the glass? Even with black plasticell foundation, I rarely see the eggs even when I know that the queen just laid one.
Jim
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Looking good Moots. Can you see the eggs through the glass? Even with black plasticell foundation, I rarely see the eggs even when I know that the queen just laid one.
Jim
Jim,
with the aid of my reading glasses and a flashlight...Yes, I can see the eggs...BUT barely, the eyes aren't what they used to be.
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If you keep posting pictures like that....Jim will definately have to make one for me. Right now he's putting windows in my supers. I like to watch the comb building process. Foundationless.
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Looking good Moots. Can you see the eggs through the glass? Even with black plasticell foundation, I rarely see the eggs even when I know that the queen just laid one.
Jim
Jim,
with the aid of my reading glasses and a flashlight...Yes, I can see the eggs...BUT barely, the eyes aren't what they used to be.
With glasses, I have good eye sight, and cannot see them in my OH. Hopefullh when I put in glass it will be better.
Jim