I opened up the hive a few minutes ago to put in the apistrips that I forgot to do 3 weeks ago. That was my second solo inspection and I wasn't as comfortable as I was when I did my first with John. I had switched the top and bottom super as the top had the brood and the bottom had the honey and added a thied deep with new frames and foundation.
They have done nothing with the new foundation but it did stop the bearding that was going on so I guess the extra space was useful. The extra super with frames will go into the shed next inspection.
I found the Queen on the first frame I pulled from the middle deep, as soon as I pulled it and went to flip it there she was on the bottom of the frame! This really made me feel good there she was walking around checking on things doing her job. This deep had a lot of honey but about half to one third was uncapped. We have had some putridly humid weather lately but this week is supposed to be very nice so hopefully they will get some of that capped and ready for winter.
The bottom super had a lot of brood some pollen and a little honey. and a lot of bees. This hive still looks very strong to me and I am enjoying the inspections a little more each time. I am still doing them in shorts and a t-shirt, no gloves and no headgear. I did make one change this time, I wore sneakers instead of sandals. Next time I might even wear socks!
John really imparted a calmness with that first inspection that I have mostly been able to retain for my inspections. I am very fortunate in getting my hive from him and having the experience of him showing me how to inspect a hive.
The temps here should be in the 70's all week during the day and down into the low 50's to high 40s at night.
And so far I have been stung once. When John and I were crating up the hive I grabbed a piece of wood and there was a bee under my pinky. She got the last word! But since then no stings. This is a very gentle hive and to me easy to work.