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!