tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67479272946753893522024-03-04T20:35:26.161-08:00Breakfast with the BeesThe Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-17008373800617196952013-05-31T21:19:00.000-07:002013-06-02T09:23:02.568-07:00Swarm Season Hello Everyone,<br />
Here are some videos from today's visit with the bees. We have a later swarm season this year due to the many cold spells. Some hives have already swarmed according to local beekeepers, but the main season is expected over the next two weeks.<br />
Please keep an eye out for swarms and call me asap if you see one, or even think you see one - whether at the sanctuary, or elsewhere. Thank you. Enjoy your visit<br />
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Bearding bees:<br />
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For comparison a video from March 10th: </div>
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I was very excited to see a good-sized cluster of bees in the hive, that they made it through the winter, and that they seemed to have plenty of honey left for the remainder of the cold season! I had brought some honey to feed them, but upon inspection realized they didn't need it!</div>
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Beautiful sounds - outside, and inside the honey bee house:<br />
Also, a wonderful view of the fresh uncapped honey cells.. notice how the cells are built at a slight upward angle - so the honey doesn't run out!<br />
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Activity at the barrel hive</div>
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Honey Bee Airport </div>
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Taking off, and coming in for landing at the hive entrance. Fun to watch!</div>
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<br />The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-48620138334723631162013-01-23T07:11:00.000-08:002013-01-23T07:19:52.398-08:00Warm Blessings for the Honey Bees - Hello, Winter Greetings and Warm Blessings<br />
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The honey bees have been in cluster - where all the bees huddle together around the queen and "shiver" their bodies to generate warmth - keeping the group around 94 degrees regardless of outside temperature. To maintain this winter activity they feed on their honey stores collected from the warm seasons. Generally the huddle keeps moving as a group to the next area of stored honey in the hive, and this is easier when they just need to keep moving upward. But it becomes more difficult when they actually have to go back "down and around" to get to the next hanging section of comb - especially when its very cold - they cannot break from the tight cluster without losing too much valuable body heat.<br />
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Here in Michigan we've had a week of very cold, single digit temperatures and another week of cold in the forecast. Although the bees may have enough honey stored from a very full warm season, it may be hard for them to reach the honey stores in the hanging combs. To do this they either need to move as a group to the next honey-filled comb or break out of the group cluster individually to seek out the honey stores. And right now it is too cold to do that - individually.<br />
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Group intention or prayer can be very powerful, so I thought to ask for your visions and prayers of warmth and dryness for these little beings during this time of extreme cold weather.<br />
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Here are photos of each hive - maybe try visualizing or just feeling the inside being warm and dry and plentiful of honey!<br />
Thank you for your help!<br />
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The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-46977870429083758912012-10-31T15:51:00.000-07:002012-10-31T17:23:16.882-07:00Summer Retreat Audio Presentation <h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello, and colorful fall greetings to everyone!</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below is an audio recording of a talk I gave as part of </span></div>
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"The Sanctuary Experience" </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 2012 Summer Retreat </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">held at Grass Lake Sanctuary </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in Manchester, Michigan.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">As part of the ta</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">lk, two videos (from previous blog posts) <br />are shown and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">can be viewed again here anytime:</span></span></div>
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First video of 1st swarm June 2011 :</div>
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Second Video of 2nd swarm May 2012: </div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjCvxoDXPKE&feature=relmfu"></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjCvxoDXPKE&feature=relmfu">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjCvxoDXPKE&feature=relmfu</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are some exercises during the talk that you may wish to participate in, with pen and paper at hand..</span></div>
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May you enjoy the content,<br />
as well as a warm summer day - the background for this presentation </div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sitting with the Bees... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">... Relaxing into the Rhythm of Nature</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">If you enjoy the presentation, please consider supporting the bees at GLS by making a donation, in any amount. Visit <a href="http://grasslakesanctuary.org/">http://grasslakesanctuary.org</a> and click on the Donate button.</span></span></div>
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Thank you for your interest!</div>
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The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-59748760015997428122012-10-31T13:28:00.000-07:002012-10-31T14:31:07.424-07:00Drone Bellies - Check It Out!<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below is a most interesting site - many drones hanging out along the observation window. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Drones do not forage for food, or clean house or help with the young... they cannot sting either. </span><span style="font-size: large;">They rely on the workers to feed them. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Their sole purpose is to mate with the queen, just once, and then they die. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Quite a role to take! </span><span style="font-size: large;">They feel humble, strong and serving. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you drones.</span></div>
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The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-37991830937504898202012-10-31T13:04:00.000-07:002012-10-31T14:31:03.655-07:00Five weeks after housing the 2nd swarm, June 21, 2012<span style="font-size: large;">Hello, and warm greetings...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below are two videos - one from the "mother hive" - the original 2011 hive, and one of the second hive, the barrel of bees - about five weeks after the big swam on Mother's day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There seems to be a notable deference in the entrance activity of the two colonies </span><br />
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The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-29228694083609604472012-10-31T11:45:00.000-07:002012-10-31T14:30:59.909-07:00Fallen honey comb serves a great purposeHello, and greetings...<br />
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in the videos below I am holding up a piece of honey comb. The piece had fallen within their hive - not being secure to the top because of the guide strips originally placed within the top bars not staying fastened in their respective grooves and not able to withstand the weight of comb and beginning nectar storage. Typically the bees will reinforce all attachments of the comb, but I guess this one slipped by...<br />
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It was laying on the floor of the hive for a week or so and I was just going to leave it - not wishing to disturb them. Then, on this day it became "clear" that it was okay for me to go in and remove it.<br />
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You may notice that the cells are a little squished... not perfect hexagons, as I had to scrape and squish it a bit to get it unstuck from the floor. The dark yellow spots seen within some of the cells is uncapped nectar that appears to have solidified. This is not what it looks like in the hanging comb.<br />
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This piece will serve a great purpose in attracting the scout bees to a future home we wish to provide. It can be melted very gently and then the melted wax mixed with remnants of honey-nectar can be painted onto the top bars of the next home we build for them. It will give off a lovely attractive fragrance, and help the bees feel even more comfortable and "at home" in their new home : )<br />
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the "squeaking, creaking" noise you may hear in the background is from two overhead tree limbs rubbing together in the breeze ...<br />
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The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-26329636275833444932012-10-31T11:37:00.001-07:002012-10-31T14:30:55.770-07:00Drinking from the Pond's edge<div style="text-align: center;">
A cool site to see...</div>
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honey bee girls drinking from the sanctuary pond.</div>
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They take water back to the hive and use it to fan and cool their home during the hot days of summer.</div>
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The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-42903298416997448412012-10-31T11:30:00.000-07:002012-10-31T14:30:51.137-07:00Beauty, and The Mite Detected, May 29, 2012Hello, and greetings,<br />
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about midway into this video you will see a lovely bee girl moving from upper left to lower right parts of the screen. She has a mite on her left shoulder. It looks to be the size of a pin head and is light brown in color.<br />
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At first I felt a sense of panic... "oh no, mites!" ... like one may react to any first sign of dis-ease. I did not include the site of the mite in my video narration - as I did not wish to create alarm. It is not pleasant watching someone you care about being "parasitised" by another. Mites in the hive can become problematic, and many bee keepers will use chemicals to treat them. But the chemicals themselves have their drawbacks, just as in the treatment of human diseases. And just as with human dis-eases, one of the best treatment approaches is with diet and building the immune system. In addition, low levels of mites, bugs etc in the system may be normal. It is when the system, or body becomes out of balance that the bugs can start to wreck havoc. <br />
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I chose to watch the colony closely for any more mites. My thought was that the bees have plenty of healthy food to forage upon at the Sanctuary and hopefully this was just a stray mite, not anything to worry about. If I did continue to see more mites I would consider feeding them some bee tea recipe (idea from Spikenard Farm) with honey, and herbs to help boost their immune system.<br />
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I watched throughout the summer, and in all that time only saw two other bees with mites...Not that I viewed them all... with perhaps 10,000 in the house (!) but it felt as though they were doing well, flourishing, building comb, storing pollen and nectar.<br />
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This is one of my favorite videos -</div>
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not because of the mite detected of course, but because of all the activity going on, </div>
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yet with a relaxed "rhythm" of working with, and amongst each other. </div>
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Also I appreciated the sunshine streaming in - reminding us of its presence in the life of the bees, the glistening and highlighting of the flower nectar in the wax cells - opens in me - a sense of awe and wonder</div>
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The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-36299818442728613182012-08-02T11:04:00.004-07:002012-08-02T13:15:49.072-07:00News Since April: Part Three: A New Swarm, A New Home<u>Part Three - The Next Day</u><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi Everyone,</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I appreciated more, the miracle that it was... as Sunday I was perhaps more concerned about whether the barrel would make a suitable home. Walking down the lane today and getting the first glimpse of the bees buzzing about the entrance hole in the barrel I felt so joyful, I did a happy dance there in celebration. I feel so blessed and grateful for all that they are teaching me. </span></div>
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Here is a photo from Sunday. </div>
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I was a bit shocked at the image the bees seemed to be forming in the photo - a human form. <br />
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and here is video of Sunday's swarm delivery into the barrel</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ9y4pCmBHs" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ9y4pCmBHs</a></div>
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video of the barrel of bees, moments after delivery</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c69FSJ12v3k" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c69FSJ12v3k</a></div>
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Day Two - </div>
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They seem to be enjoying their new home:</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVKHtS3iy1E&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVKHtS3iy1E&feature=youtu.be</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwsC3I1QGHk&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwsC3I1QGHk&feature=youtu.be</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzbNz7xs5dQ&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzbNz7xs5dQ&feature=youtu.be</a></div>
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</div>
</span></div>
<br />
and here is again is the interview we did the night of the swarm -<br />
<div>
with a recap of the year.</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RybHxmiOYA&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RybHxmiOYA&feature=youtu.be</a></div>The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-33945822289689071772012-08-02T11:02:00.005-07:002012-08-02T11:02:45.544-07:00News Since April: Part Two: A New Swarm, A New Homecontinued from part one...<br />
<br />
Part Two -<br />
<br />
same day I came upon and experienced the beautiful swarm at the sanctuary...<br />
<br />
wondering where they would call home...<br />
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Last week I had taken a big wine barrel home to clean out. It had been sitting by the cabin near the pond since the land was purchased several years ago. I was hoping it could perhaps be turned in to a house for honey bees. I hosed it out well, and let it dry in the sun, but did not work with it otherwise. I decided to bring it back to the land with me today thinking perhaps Tim could do some work on it with a new tool he has for routing out trees.</div>
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I pulled it out of my car and rolled it up close to where the bee swarm was gathering.</div>
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I had a "lid" for it - a circular piece of plywood that I found in one of the scrap piles from the work that was being done on the upper cabins.</div>
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Hmmmm.... ?</div>
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Bees....large swarm, .....20+ feet up in a tree, ...... old wine barrel, ......5 foot ladder from Janice's garage...</div>
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Some pieces were coming together, yet some pieces still missing.....</div>
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"I think I'll take a walk..."</div>
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"It is, what it is, of course..." I said to myself.</div>
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I wasn't going to fret over not having a "proper" home, but would just follow any threads from here...</div>
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I made some calls...</div>
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Joe was on his way to the land to do some work and he had an 8 foot ladder with him! "Okay - that would help".</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" title="Click here to replace with: Tam era, Tamara, Tamer, Camera, Tamers, Tamper, Stammer">Tamara</a> and Tom just got home and were excited to come out and see the bee swarm... they're on their way, </div>
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"ok...great they were there last time and that seems right..."</div>
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on with my walk...</div>
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...came upon the scrap pile again, by the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/" title="Click here to replace with: cellos, hellos, Leos, Los, lobos, locos, logos">eloos</a>...(outdoor luxury toilets) there were lots of cedar shingles in the pile... <a href="http://www.blogger.com/" title="Click here to replace with: hmm mm, hmm, mm, hymn, ham, hem, him">hmmmm</a>....? </div>
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"these look useful... <a href="http://www.blogger.com/" title="Click here to replace with: I'm, Imo, IBM, IMF, Jim, Kim, PIM">Im</a> not sure for what, but I'll take them back with me".</div>
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Back at the barrel.</div>
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"These cedar shingles can be used to raise the floor in the barrel" The bees don't like too big of a space. That was one concern with the barrel - too big and drafty. The shingles were long enough to lay horizontally across, about 3/4 of the way down, so they made for a cozier space, they also served as a ceiling - under the plywood disc roof.</div>
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"okay - it just might work as a bee house"</div>
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Tamara, Tom, and Joe arrived.</div>
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Climb the ladder .....that was easy.... stand on top rung, reach up overhead to the branch with the loppers.... </div>
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"<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" title="Click here to replace with: amah, ayah, AAA, Ababa, Arapaho, abaca, agama">aaahhhh</a>..... I don't think I can do this, at least not without a third hand to hold the branch the bees are on to steady as I cut..."</div>
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" I think I can do it," I hear Tamara say from below...</div>
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</div>
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Up she went, we all talked it through, I stood a length below her on the second ladder to help lower the branch once it was cut, and the guys steadied the ladders.</div>
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Some inbetween stuff happened , but miraculously the branch and the bees came down smoothly, and I have to say, Tamara's balance - standing, not on the top rung, but on the TOP of the 8 foot ladder, reaching overhead and cutting the branch and lowering it with a huge swarm of bees clung to it was truly an amazing feat, and miracle in itself!! </div>
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</div>
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</div>
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We both held an end of the branch and walked the bees over to the barrel. The swarm was so full along the branch that it had to be turned vertical over the hive so that when it was tapped, they all dropped into their new home - the barrel. So, I stood there - branch and bees in hand and did like before - tapped the branch actually on the cedar-board floor of the barrel and they all went in - well, many, perhaps even most went in - there were quite a few buzzing around the scene, before and after....</div>
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We showed them their entrance-way and then closed them up - laying the cedar shingles over the top of the barrel followed by the round disc plywood and some bricks on top to hold it in place.</div>
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</div>
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I've read quite a bit about what bees like in homes, and gosh, I don't know, I have a lot of wonder about the barrel, in the condition it is in, but I trust in the bees. Perhaps it will be just a resting place for the night, or perhaps they'll find it quite suitable for their long term needs.</div>
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I feel blessed once again that they shared the sacred time of the swarm with us, that I was there to witness the energy of their take off from the mother hive (which by the way will continue on with a new queen - which is exciting as well).<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HoPaSJbI9jdESsL4wQk66WJB1kpbjTtFFoXjJ-psaMspxyQX87iJxVHJshk_6RKXukG_HhwjgdWcURXdnRinOlJfpS5FhF2BngFw-QQXh_8Ph18Y8oH2rqmJBIHy1xu7S-WPydLVB30/s1600/May+13+2012+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HoPaSJbI9jdESsL4wQk66WJB1kpbjTtFFoXjJ-psaMspxyQX87iJxVHJshk_6RKXukG_HhwjgdWcURXdnRinOlJfpS5FhF2BngFw-QQXh_8Ph18Y8oH2rqmJBIHy1xu7S-WPydLVB30/s200/May+13+2012+037.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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to be continued in part three - next post</div>
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</div>The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-58391988745011125712012-08-02T10:53:00.001-07:002012-08-02T10:53:28.263-07:00News Since April! Part One: A New Swarm, A New HomeHello,<br />
An exciting event happeed on May 13th, my apologies for the late entries!<br />
The event is summarized in the brief video interview below,<br />
and,<br />
if you want the details continue reading....<br />
a 3- part story is told over the next three posts...<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RybHxmiOYA&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RybHxmiOYA&feature=youtu.be</a><br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
Part One: </div>
<div>
I went out to the land Sunday, Mother's day to check on things... and what timing indeed!</div>
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</div>
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I was going to go in the morning, but since it was rainy, delayed my trip until the afternoon.</div>
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The bee observatory (a new and unique structure being built for the bees on the land) looks super cool, yet needs some work, before it is ready.</div>
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I checked on the bees down the lane, and boy, although I didn't actually look inside, the hive energy seem swollen - full, ready to pop, but I was trying to stay optimistic that they'd wait until we had the home ready.</div>
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</div>
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I went back to the new structure and was taking some measurements for things that were needed.</div>
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I was then on the phone with someone, until I sensed something in the background that was distracting me - a noise, I told the person on the phone I had to go - </div>
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The noise was a </div>
<div>
loud hum ... inside I sensed what was happening... I could feel the vibration of the bees in my body as I walked back down the lane. The hum got louder and louder until there I was, standing in a huge, and most beautiful cloud of bees - stretching out 40 feet or more around me. Hard to imagine all those bees were inside the small hive.</div>
<div>
</div>
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There was a bit of wistfulness - that I did not have a home prepared for them, but that soon dissipated in the amazing beauty of the swarm - another birth, a miracle to witness.</div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: black;">Amidst the beauty of the swarm</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45GbDU5ptKI&feature=youtu.be" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45GbDU5ptKI&feature=youtu.be</a></div>
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The swarm started to gather in a small maple tree near by - about 30 feet from the home hive.</div>
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May you find a good home!</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3GzOatahDw&feature=youtu.be" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3GzOatahDw&feature=youtu.be</a></div>
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</div>
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Not far from home</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUmjpKWtUk8&feature=youtu.be" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUmjpKWtUk8&feature=youtu.be</a></div>
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</div>
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continued in Part Two - next post</div>The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-2966966276021073172012-04-09T20:22:00.002-07:002012-04-10T12:18:39.443-07:00Working with Fear<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hello!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This past weekend I took the bees some more tea. The last time I left them a quart was about 2-3 weeks ago when there was a warm spell - in the 70s! But then it got cold again, 30s at night and 50s during the day. Yesterday it warmed up again to low 60s.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There was a lot of activity at the entrance. I had re-installed the entrance reducer when it got cold, but now warm enough to take it out again, and perhaps now it can stay out. It is still cold at night (30s), but there seems to be plenty of bees (maybe tripled in number since our last visit) to keep everyone warm. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It was fun to open the observation window this time and see many bees covering the combs. However, after a few minutes they became increasingly interested in coming out the gap that had been created by the wood shrinking - warping the plexiglas window. This hadn’t been a problem since the fall when it got cold enough that they remained huddled together within the combs. But now things seem to be in full gear. There are also enough of them to leave other jobs and attend to hive disturbances – in this case perhaps a sudden draft coming through the window gap, along with pouring daylight into their quarters. I trusted that a solution would be found when it came time to put the door back on – with all those bees now on the outside of the glass – its challenging to try to sweep them away and get the door on without squishing anyone. But for the time I decided to turn my attention to replenishing their jar of bee tea inside the hive.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I started to pry off the first of 4-5 top bars, so I could reach in and replace the empty bee tea jar inside. A tiny gap formed where I was trying to pry off the top bar (the bees “glue” them down each time with propolis, so a special tool is needed to pry the top bars loose from the sides). Many bees, one-after-the-other started coming out the tiny gap under the one end of the top bar. Before I knew it, there were quite a number of bees buzzing around the half opened and exposed hive. At this point I started to feel really nervous. I wasn’t used to this many bees! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Two Sanctuary volunteers, </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Janice and Joanna,</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> were standing by to watch.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">We thought Joanna could get some photos once I opened the hive and you could see the combs inside.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">I couldn't go in though.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">I didn't know what to do.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">I felt way too nervous with all the bees.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">I knew this day was going to come at some point – when the colony got bigger – what would I do?</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Would I still feel just as “easy” with a large number of bees as I have with the small group we had up until now? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Janice and Joanna left me to be alone with the bees for awhile.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">After I was stung in January (see January blog for that experience) I did become a little more nervous around them. That was lessening somewhat, but I told myself if all I could ever do was sit with them, then that was what I would do – for as long as it took – until I did not feel the fear. After all I cannot possibly reach into a bee hive feeling fear! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">So in this moment these thoughts were buzzing through my mind - not sure what to do with the half opened hive, and all these bees </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">*I cant leave them like this – I didn’t even know if I could get the observation door back on at that point because there were so many bees on the outside of the glass – it seemed impossible to be able to brush them all off and get the door back on. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">*I couldn’t put the roof back on either because the one top bar was still pried open and bees kept pouring out – Id squish one for sure – and then they’d really be upset.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">*I thought about calling another beekeeper for help…</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nope, not yet!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">*Maybe I need to go buy a bee suit, then return? (Oh yes – by the way its just me here, no suit). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Okay, I thought to myself, that is a possibility – but not quite right for the moment.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I asked the bees how they were doing, and about going into the hive and they “said” basically this: that everything was “fine – go ahead in" and "do what you do”.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Someday I will completely trust, and be able to flow with this “voice” that I hear from them. But in that moment I continued to feel nervous - albeit reassured from an outside party that "everything would be fine".</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I held my hands out into the cloud of bees. I tried to breath and relax. One landed on my hand. Good. Maybe she would help me. I am okay with just one. I turned my hand around and up close to my face so we were eye-to-eye. I told her I was scared – kind of in a complaining-like manner. I didn’t know what to do. She looked at me as if listening, even cocking her tiny head a bit, then turned around and flew off! The feeling was as if she wanted nothing to do with that ridiculousness!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It was then that I noticed the cloth on top of the hive – the one that covers all the top bars before the roof gets placed on. I realized I could at least drape that over the opened observation window so there wouldn’t be so much sunlight pouring into their usually dark and quiet home. Maybe that would help calm them down. It did – thank goodness. I then walked to the car, maybe 30 yards away, to get something. I was feeling better with restored confidence around the bees. For good measure though - I took </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">some Bach Flower Rescue Remedy (suggested earlier by either Janice or Joanna). I thought it would help ease some of the aftershock of the intensity I just went through.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I came back to the hive feeling even more calm, something shifted. Of course the bees were calmer too, now that their window was at least partially covered.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I easily removed 4 more top bars, took some video, then reached in and switched out the jars – no problem. I called Joanna who had gone out to take more photos on the land. She was near by and returned to take some close-up bee pictures now that the hive was opened and everyone was calm. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Here are some of Joanna’s photos:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesPop0gbt5Koi1CYc_zSOJ0GoHZ0r1WD6LKHDor6fEHVANNLHIVMopGj-lXlL7iluBNiUNJFBaclROM2SzRt1TuADiZYejLrvROXV1QV0KY9wpJDEq5LD_hJkXrAp7OlFnBgH_Gxd8l0/s1600/IMG_1954s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesPop0gbt5Koi1CYc_zSOJ0GoHZ0r1WD6LKHDor6fEHVANNLHIVMopGj-lXlL7iluBNiUNJFBaclROM2SzRt1TuADiZYejLrvROXV1QV0KY9wpJDEq5LD_hJkXrAp7OlFnBgH_Gxd8l0/s320/IMG_1954s.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmuYqKRI0skimd45On7O5-ErF6FIYg2lKg2l0y0Lt8jvxTWxmEFQLKUdB3mngI-ZDSujNzozW3IXCvYuxOBB3sq2HtwGX7Yvy2a34jVK0mMfTsd4Bx8vXjBLUpFxLghABvIrhGUsMACc/s1600/IMG_1967s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmuYqKRI0skimd45On7O5-ErF6FIYg2lKg2l0y0Lt8jvxTWxmEFQLKUdB3mngI-ZDSujNzozW3IXCvYuxOBB3sq2HtwGX7Yvy2a34jVK0mMfTsd4Bx8vXjBLUpFxLghABvIrhGUsMACc/s320/IMG_1967s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Beautiful Girls!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Amazing comb!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">thank you for the photos Joanna!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4r6PpLhE-GW6BUBM5Ixfi1ugoZBCoNRUyj9bq45V5oFApMSRurBEQuC7K5cJnfdLtaIF-zXMUA1HXjPCPGcxXrBDPo8uU6cjRfuIyr-jPFCZyfb3qzPAW1J7M2aqysol-Ze0r8s7rD8/s1600/IMG_2000s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4r6PpLhE-GW6BUBM5Ixfi1ugoZBCoNRUyj9bq45V5oFApMSRurBEQuC7K5cJnfdLtaIF-zXMUA1HXjPCPGcxXrBDPo8uU6cjRfuIyr-jPFCZyfb3qzPAW1J7M2aqysol-Ze0r8s7rD8/s320/IMG_2000s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt9Lc6oe2K8J0TYfaD3HqIucEYOv8cBHLtPWxyZHDk8hjh2OLSOnRZYaMsrn3KT9shEFX0YgldREkDEkIg7uCKewK7Vz3QJD4mjeryNqGg7ZLfNRHKFxC31IiaMHKajXxu4GCjMRxkbo/s1600/IMG_2002s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt9Lc6oe2K8J0TYfaD3HqIucEYOv8cBHLtPWxyZHDk8hjh2OLSOnRZYaMsrn3KT9shEFX0YgldREkDEkIg7uCKewK7Vz3QJD4mjeryNqGg7ZLfNRHKFxC31IiaMHKajXxu4GCjMRxkbo/s320/IMG_2002s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And here are some videos.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The bee girls pose for Joanna's camera!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1gz-uz_8AK0/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1gz-uz_8AK0?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1gz-uz_8AK0?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">It was especially fun to see three or more colors of pollen being brought in to the hive. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">There was a deep orange, yellow, pale yellow, and occasionally even white.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This video starts out a little blurry but becomes clear about 30 seconds in... and great views of the colored pollen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/kuoyaotUsCE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div>The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-50064899590962975852012-03-13T20:16:00.000-07:002012-03-13T20:16:40.337-07:00Bags Upon Bags of Fresh Groceries!Hi Everyone,<br />
I was near by the sanctuary this afternoon and couldn't resist a short visit with the bees on such an incredibly warm and beautiful day. Below are some clips of what was happening at the hive - and pollen is it!<br />
Lots and lots of pollen being brought in - by the legs full!<br />
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I wish we could see them unload, and pack it into the cells - that would be fun -how do they put away their groceries? Do they fill several cells at a time, or do they all start filling just one cell until it is full before they move to the next? Are there different packers and sealers, or do the individual foragers do their own packing? I remember seeing a beautiful photograph once with different colors of pollen in different cells. <br />
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In the third video you'll see they drank about 2/3rds of the quart of bee tea that I left for them a few days ago.<br />
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There were some baby bees hanging out in the back, where it was quieter, and near the tea : )<br />
and I look forward to seeing more soon. Its hard to get the photos of them there due to the reflection in the window.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/eS-r1y9OWn4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jvbwf7b8iA8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-71377110775597444702012-03-08T20:44:00.003-08:002012-03-09T05:11:28.826-08:00RelievedYesterday it was 60+ degrees in Michigan, the first day in a few weeks that it was warm enough for the bees to be out. I made a whole quart of bee tea for the girls in hopes that they would indeed still be there. <br />
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I had been quite concerned about their seemingly small colony size last I had visited them - the day of the sanctuary's first Polar Plunge about three weeks ago. It was a warm day for February, sunny, yet crisp - not warm enough for the bees to be out, but okay it seemed to open the hive for feeding. When first going into the back of the hive I saw no one. It really scared me. But then I put my ear down into the hive and heard them humming away deep inside the upper part of the combs. I breathed a sigh of relief, left them the fresh jar of tea and closed them up quickly so not to chill them any more.<br />
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Over the next few weeks it felt too cold to open the hive. Id visit them, place my hands on the sides of their home and send whatever prayers, or energy I could for warmth and plenty of food stores. I tried to calm my fears over seeing no bees in the lower parts of the comb. But I kept wondering how many could possibly be huddled up inside the combs where I couldn't see them? From what I could see on the edges of the combs, there was no stored honey and no brood. Of course you may not expect to find so much on the edges in the deep of winter, but no signs of anything, even a few inches in, left me a bit worried. Now, if I had been inspecting each comb by pulling them out from the very start I probably would have known a lot more about the strength of the colony going into winter, but as I have shared I never did that step for a combination of reasons.. I wasn't ready, it felt too invasive, and I have been savoring all that I have been learning up to and including now. Maybe I'll start inspecting individual combs on my next hive? Or maybe I'll continue to observe from the edges, leaving them their inside privacy?<br />
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Anyway as I walked up to the hive today I burst into tears to see the girls alive and seemingly well, buzzing about their entrance way. A huge relief! On the cold days when I would visit the hive and put my hands on it to send them warming energy they kept "telling me" - as much as I can read invisible, non-verbal bee signals, that "they were okay", but I worried myself silly just the same. This is one of the many things they continue to help me with - to trust my instincts - that deep inner feeling and wisdom. <br />
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I sat down and took it all in once again - one of my most favorite spots. Look! Some were even coming into the hive with pollen!! A very light yellow, almost white pollen. That was super cool to see. I later asked Lana, our Conservation Steward at the land what might be in bloom this early and she said the maples were coming out, and maybe some birch! I'm so happy they have fresh pollen to gather for the new springtime babies!<br />
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Besides the pollen gatherers, others were busy housekeeping - bringing winter debris out to the edge of the hive to give it a heave-ho. I took the entrance reducer out to give them more room to work. They seemed happy with that. I left it out at their request, but will have to go back tomorrow to replace it as its getting chilly again.<br />
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Here are two short videos - I forgot to empty my camera card so not too much room left, but you'll get a sense of the activity going on, and you can see the quart of fresh bee tea (raw honey with a light infusion of organic chamomile and nettle tea)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7hh8QIwHrbY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q3pc5cZuZtQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-60929638114537077382012-03-08T20:44:00.000-08:002012-03-08T20:44:01.541-08:00January 31st Mobile Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7aFBh39PgJw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe>The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-26325172434361814402012-01-08T16:09:00.000-08:002012-01-08T16:09:33.619-08:00January Bees !Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!<br />
Here are some video clips taken on Friday afternoon, January 6th. It was a warm 52 degrees - warm enough for the bee-girls to be out and about - perhaps with cleansing flights and a bit of housekeeping. <br />
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Ive stopped by the hive several times since we last saw them at Thanksgiving. Its been cold obviously and no one's been out - so Id put my hands on the hive and send them a "hello" and whatever warm energy I could - assuming, hoping, feeling somewhat, that they were okay inside. - huddled up as they do around the queen. What a treat then - to see them on Friday - alive and well in the winter!!<br />
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They drank all of the bee-tea left for them on Thanksgiving and I brought another jar with me - again a mix of nettle and chamomile tea with local honey - to help them get through their first winter.<br />
It looks like they started to build onto the comb in the back - maybe a little during the warmer days? I did not take video of this - with the hive open as I was trying to be quick and not let too much of a chill inside. Perhaps a bit too quick - and one let me know it - giving me my first sting and sacrificing her life, ouch...<br />
It was actually a very gentle sting - felt like a "baby sting". It didnt hurt - felt more like a little pin prick. "Hmmm... that wasn't so bad" I thought - I haven't been stung by a bee in ages so I forgot what it was like, and surprised that it didn't hurt much - although again, very sorry she had to sacrifice her life to get my attention. <br />
The sting was on my ring finger. I put some mud on it - both to ease any discomfort as well as to mask any alarming scent left at the site that might attract more stings...<br />
I slowed down a little, but still not feeling quite grounded in - not to mention now a tad leery that I had disturbed the colony. I was somewhat obsessed in trying to get the last dead bee body out of the hive - I had already fished out 3 or 4 - trying to help them with their housekeeping...<br />
Ouch ! - there was a another sting -more like a bite - 10 x louder than the first! <br />
This one on the tip of my index finger. Again swabbed it in mud - of which there was plenty - with our January thaw, regrouped and went back in - this time just to put the bee-tea in place and close up the hive.<br />
I realize it was cold and perhaps I was perceived as a threat to their winter stores... but I like to believe these girls know me, and were, at least in part, helping me to work with and release some stuck energy of late ...<br />
... so much is interconnected...<br />
I thanked them and apologized again for the sacrifice of the two lives that day - feeling grateful for them - as I returned home to journal on the messages received -<br />
they certainly got my attention !!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Xad_4F54X-M/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xad_4F54X-M?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xad_4F54X-M?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/u5quv-vb59A?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/1sUMS3KUSYo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-71023351562909448982011-11-28T15:55:00.001-08:002011-11-28T15:55:51.034-08:00Bee Tea: Batch Number Two<div style="text-align: center;">The day after Thanksgiving - another warm and lovely day in Michigan. </div><br />
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Two days after I left the 1st batch of bee tea in the hive I came back to see that not much had been taken. I thought maybe it was too watery, or possibly did not get heated enough to properly blend the mixture. <br />
Or, they just may not need the supplement at this time?<br />
However when I took the jar of tea out of the hive, replacing it with a thicker well blended batch, some bees gathered on the lid seemingly very interested in the contents of this vessel!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">More Attic Dwellers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/GbQLfLNRlQ4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-88386142212505568532011-11-28T15:55:00.000-08:002011-11-28T15:58:09.632-08:00Bee Tea: Batch #1Today I took a modified version of Spikenard Farm's Bee Tea with me to the sanctuary. It was modified in that I only used chamomile and nettle leaf in the tea since those are what I had on hand. There are several other herbs recommended on the Spikenard website - which is a beautiful site to visit and one of my top references: <a href="http://spikenardfarm.org/beekeeping_tips.html">http://spikenardfarm.org/beekeeping_tips.html</a><br />
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Anyway, I wasn't sure if it would be warm enough to go into the hive, or even if they would like the mixture I had made. My car was parked up at the care taker's house - a few hundred yards maybe from the hive. The passenger side door was opened and I was standing outside the car talking with Marnie, another volunteer. I looked over and there was a honey bee rummaging around in the open bag I had on the floor which contained the Bee Tea! "She found it - all the way up here! I exclaimed." It was so cute! I poured some of the tea in the lid of the jar so she could drink from it - which she did. Well, I guess that answered my questions... and off I went to put the jar in the hive.<br />
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</div>The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-29645550911931110002011-11-14T18:02:00.001-08:002011-11-14T18:02:15.226-08:00What To Feed The Bees? And Activity at the Hive on November 13, 2011<div class="separator">I could not resist feeding them again! They seemed to enjoy the honey the last two times, and it was warm enough to be able to open the hive without getting them too cold today. I've chosen to feed them honey instead of sugar because it is their natural food, and would not put extra stress on them - as the processing of sugar syrup or candy might. I've heard also that high sugar ingestion by the bees can create an imbalance in their guts - perhaps then leaving them more susceptible to disease processes, and an over abundance of pathogens. Makes sense to me.</div><div class="separator"><br />
</div><div class="separator">I'm wondering if they just eat the honey, or if they take and store it for later when needed? I'm hoping the latter. I had initially purchased an organic, raw honey packaged in a glass jar to feed to to them. My intention was to stay as close to their own supplies as possible. But then I read on the packaging that the honey was from India. So although organic and raw, it was not local - and the unfamiliar nectar sources could put strain, even if temporary, on their delicate systems. Although there were some other local organic honeys to choose from, they were all packaged in plastic. I decided to go with the local honey packaged in glass - although not labeled organic I felt more comfortable taking those chances over the possibility of leaching plastic chemicals. </div><div class="separator"><br />
</div><div class="separator">I did read somewhere recently that feeding them in the fall (perhaps when they don't need it?) can "over stimulate the queen". I don't know exactly what this meant, but assume perhaps it is a time that she is supposed to be taking a break from laying more eggs, and maybe the feeding of this kind of volume to her workers gets things moving too rapidly - or gives a false sense of supply and so stimulates her to start laying? I've since ordered some more books on biodynamic beekeeping, but with the information I had, I questioned briefly if it may have been better NOT to feed them - at least this early on - sensing they must have supplies on hand at least until January? </div><div class="separator">My conclusion is to relax and see what happens next, but I must admit, there is a sense of satisfaction around feeding them - I would imagine its like seeing your children eat all of their dinner - knowing they are well nourished.</div><div class="separator"><br />
</div><div class="separator">I also read, again briefly, that although the queen does take a break at some point for a few weeks, there is brood rearing going on through the winter - as well as the associated concern for pollen stores for the young - as I think this high protein substance is their main food source until coming out of their cell.</div><div class="separator"><br />
</div><div class="separator">Again - it seems to be a delicate balance among all of the elements. So far it has been easiest to rely on intuition and what they may "tell" me as far as what their needs are, and to relax if I'm not entirely sure of my movement...</div><div class="separator">In this process things I am watching are ... </div><div class="separator">Am I feeding them out of fear - that they will not survive?</div><div class="separator">Is it becoming a mental process? </div><div class="separator">Or, can I relax into the feeling Relationship that is always available ....</div><div class="separator">Bless you honey bees for joining me on this journey : )</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/YxHw2gqGCZY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/wCK-VK5tLwc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-23288455156922018282011-11-14T18:02:00.000-08:002011-11-14T18:02:03.654-08:00Why a Barn-Red Panel, and Can the Bees See It?Nov 6 2011, red panel installed over air space underneath the hive in hopes, on a sunny day, of raising their surrounding temperature even 1 degree - with the thought that - maybe even if one degree warmer, it would save on honey consumption - leaving even a bit more for the next day?<br />
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Plus visually for us humans, at least for me, it adds some color and warmth to the area!<br />
And a reminder of a fun day helping to paint Lana and Larry's barn in Dexter, MI!<br />
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I mention in the video that bees have a different visual system - looking it up just now it seems they see more along the lines of the blue-green and blue-violet and the ultraviolet spectrum, and maybe some into the yellow-orange too, but not so much in the red and infrared fields.<br />
Interestingly: from the site: <a href="http://westmtnapiary.com/Bees_and_color.html" target="_blank">http://westmtnapiary.com/Bees_and_color.html </a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">"If deprived of UV light, </div><div style="text-align: center;">bees lose interest in foraging, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and remain in the hive until forced out </div><div style="text-align: center;">by severe food shortages. . "</div>The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-61531931809059464822011-11-14T18:01:00.002-08:002011-11-14T18:01:49.345-08:00They liked it !It was fun to open the hive and see the jar empty !<br />
Like I said - for some reason I had nervousness about feeding them - not sure what they would like, what would be "best" for them - even though I've been reading on what and how to feed them - there seems to be many opinions on this...<br />
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Something I noticed Humanly ( for me )....<br />
when feeling them accept this gift so readily I was left more open and relaxed in the moment.<br />
aaahhhh....... the beauty in giving and receiving...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Second jar of honey being placed in the hive </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>and in the coming months....<br />
what do they need to be most supported?<br />
How do I most fully serve them?<br />
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Again there seems such a delicate balance when it comes to feeding the honey bees...<br />
more on this in upcoming posts... <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Encouraging Sight ! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uAL66ZfY20A?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-65279972285389793702011-11-14T18:01:00.001-08:002011-11-14T18:01:34.034-08:00Winter Activity Notes, and The Spring Blossom Garden on Bee Line Lane <b>Winter Activity</b> <b>in the Hive</b><br />
Since taking this video I've learned that the bees can be "active" all winter. They generally stay "in cluster " around the queen once temperatures drop below 45-55, but the cluster expands and contracts depending on how cold it is, and they rotate position to the outer part of the cluster.<br />
If it is 55 for example the cluster may be loose - with some bees still going outside to forage for any remaining goodies. There is a delicate balance to this "warmer" winter weather because the more active they are the more energy they require in terms of stored food, yet there is not much, if anything, in terms of food coming into the hive. When it is very cold though, they need just enough energy (food) to keep the warmth up within the cluster. They cluster generally right over the honey stores so they dont need to leave the cluster to feed.<br />
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On warmer winter days they will take periodic "cleansing flights" - in a sense - going to the bathroom outside, and may do house keeping chores - removing any debris and transitioned bee bodies from the hive floor. They are quite fastidious house keepers - even in the winter!<br />
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I'll share more on what Im learning about the balance of temperature and supplemental feeding in the upcoming posts.<br />
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<b>Spring Blossom Garden at Grass Lake Sanctuary</b><br />
40 new trees were planted at Grass Lake Sanctuary near Bee Line Lane. The honey bees are in for a lovely surprise come spring time as the new Blossom Garden comes alive with its full presence - sharing beautiful colors, fragrances, nectars and fruit !<br />
Thank you to the many volunteers and donors who helped bring these gifts to the sanctuary !<br />
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</div>The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-79365164061179964592011-11-14T18:01:00.000-08:002011-11-14T18:01:10.545-08:00Black Woolly Bear Caterpillar visiting at the Hive Nov 6, 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">If the amount of black coloring on the Woolly Bears is truly an indication of winter - </div><div style="text-align: center;">we may be in for a Big One!</div><div style="text-align: center;">But not to worry - </div><div style="text-align: center;">plenty of warmth underneath </div><div style="text-align: center;">seems also to be indicated - </div><div style="text-align: center;">take a look!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-38061618251785001372011-11-14T18:00:00.000-08:002011-11-14T18:00:48.840-08:00Clear examples of drones being escorted out of the hive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At one point I had the idea of perhaps gathering all of the wayward Drones and taking them home, providing them a little house with some comb, and feeding them myself. Apparently they cannot feed themselves and rely on the workers to do so - this is why in part they are kicked out since they require a lot of care, not to mention food, and they are not needed during the winter months - the queen can just lay more drone eggs come spring time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway it could be fun - having a bunch of boys in the house! And they don't sting either. I may still try this sometime, although I don't know how it might upset the balance of things for the colony - but I suppose Id just be seeing them through the rest of their short lifespans, and would not necessarily be releasing them back to the colony.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Here, she tosses him out, but then a few seconds later you'll see a drone (the same one?) entering the hive!<br />
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</div>The Daily Beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765186615598178404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747927294675389352.post-30618544653454794942011-11-03T19:20:00.000-07:002011-11-03T19:20:06.344-07:00Using Cinnamon to Repel Ants - It Works!Try fresh cinnamon as an ant repellent - it works!<br />
Here are 2 more short videos from November 2nd.<br />
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Lots of activity here! Fun to watch them!<br />
And working with some ideas to help them stay warm this winter:<br />
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