Winter is coming. The ladies are still gathering pollen, especially the dusky persimmon colored type. They waddle bowlegged into the hive with saddlebags of it. Their sister bring in skinny leggings of yellow pollen from the last of the Spanish needles and goldenrod.
The first freeze is expected tonight. Happy Chanukah.
I've been sliding the hive along the track about 6-10 inches every few days. The rule on moving hives: Less than three feet or more than three miles. This direction takes the hive closer to the lake and out from under the overhang of oak boughs. There will still be some protection from the brutal summer sun but only once the late, late afternoon arrives and the graceful wax myrtle to the west spreads its sheltering shade. The hive has been moving very slowing on parallel tracks of two-by-fours toward the open sun. This should help keep them warmer during the winter. It's the strategy to keep the small hive beetles under control next spring.
My days have been busy. I haven't weighed the hive in two weeks. There is still lots of daily activity on the landing board, and I'm continuing to use the feeder.The last of the thinner syrup disappeared during two recent overcast days. Did being in the hive make them hungrier? Today I started giving them double strength syrup (four pounds to four cups).
The color variations that I had noticed were explained: A new queen is fertilized on her maiden flights by multiple drones. Their sperm is stored and then later released over a period of time. This will result in sibling brood having different patterns/coloration. No need to worry that other bees have come into the hive . . .at least not in the number that was showing up.
From all outward appearances, the hive is happy and queen right. I'll wait to the weekend to weigh and look inside. That will probably be one of the last for a while, barring any unforeseen problems during the winter.
