Top Bar Hive Transfer From Swarm Box

4-14-10, The Collecting of Hive Three, By Eve

Hive number three was collected at Forest Grove, Pacific University's Drake House Department of Philosophy. Why they chose the Department of Philosophy? Ask a philosopher.

We had to climb high onto the roof to get to it.

This swarm was HUGE. The biggest one yet. It almost completely filled the Warre hivebox.

My Dad climbed up and balanced on the edge the whole time.

Of all the bees in the entire hive, he was lucky enough to come across the Queen.

He sat for a quite awhile, silently staring at the bees. It payed off!

After he tossed the queen into the box, all the other bees slowly filed in.

That lessened the time he had to spend teetering on the roof's edge!

Gathering the new swarm!

Paul on the roof of a home in Forest Grove, OR.

He is gathering what will be hive #3. I told him that three will be the limit that defines the difference between hobby hives and going over that edge.
You know-- just like with cats. Any more than three and you are a crazy cat lady.

The other day he said he wishes he could just quit his job and we can be the crazy-bee-people-on-the-hill. I had to point out that we are already the crazy-bee-people-on-the-hill.
more coming soon on the gathering, etc.
~reenie (the queen bee)