This is the first hive in our "bee yard"!  I saw some neat pics online of how people had painted their hive boxes, and painted the one with grass at the bottom.  I intend to paint Chestnut Hill Farm & flowers on the other boxes.  That project just did not meet the bee installation deadline.

 

 

 

Above is a pic taken two days after installation.  First, I was checking to see if they were alive.  I installed damp, sprinkling weather, and was concerned about that.  Secondly, I was checking to see if they needed more sugar water. 

 

 

 

My smoker.  I only had a little bit of trouble keeping it lit the first time. 

 

 

Saturday, I opened up the hive to check on the queen and make sure she was released; with a little help from me, she was.  It was very exciting to see that the bees are drawing out comb.  I don't know if you can see in this pic, the curve up of the little circles - but that is the bees drawing out the comb so they can start doing business!



 

Lots of fun things are happening on the farm now.  These 5 steers think it's fun to get out onto fresh, spring pasture!  Three of these will be going to their new homes (customer's freezers!) in June and the other two in July or Aug.  All of these five are sold, and we are ready to take orders for the other 12 that will be finished toward the end of this year.

I think it's fun (and exciting) that I'm getting my first package of bees soon!  I've got my hive painted and my bee yard cleared out; most of my supplies and my courage are ready for this new adventure.  I dare a bee to get through this bee suit.