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Oooh, it's frosty and very snowy on Cape Cod today. Barnstable Village is powder puffed in glittery, sparkly, fluffy snow. It's very cold outside. My mind is wandering to those hives tucked up behind the silver birch, semi-protected by the ancient stone wall. Are they alive? Hungry? Cozy?
A couple of weeks ago the temperatures 'soared' into the early 50s. When I say 'soared,' that's up from 9 or so degrees. :( I sat on the bench and watched the hives. Several were pretty active, one was not (my weak hive from the spring of 2013), and one was bleh, just a couple of bees. So, we shall see.
I left lots of honey in these new hives (spring 2013) and fed them fall sugar syrup, and straight up sugar misted with a bit of water on a bed of newspaper. I did not tar paper their shacks, but rather put styrofoam insulation on outside top and the sides facing west. The hives are tilted quite a bit forward, hopefully draining any dampness right out. Poor cold bees.
Tim and I ordered 5 more packages, which is pretty exciting. Am contemplating top-bar for a couple and maybe a Warre hive or two. That remains to be seen. I got rather pumped up thinking about these methods after hearing Sam Comfort, of Anarchy Apiaries speak at the Barnstable County Beekeepers Association meeting this past fall.
Sending you some smoke fairy bees to keep you healthy and happy this mid-winter day.
All my love.
