Two Bee or . . .

Heat wave has us going to water this week -- a second day at the municipal pool. My niece recovered after being splashed and spent some quality time with her cousins. I can just imagine: "Someday, you, too, will eat salame."


On the way home I got a call -- did I want a swarm? Thanks, Esperanza!

I did, very much, but we had to unload all of the swimmers who were awake, leaving crashed-out Mr. Salame asleep. I gathered my swarm equipment, including a lovely cardboard box, and headed to find them.


Some judicious clipping and shaking moments later, the bulk of the swarm -- really, nearly all -- were boxed up and wrapped in a favorite sheet I inherited from my grandmother. I actually think of her every time I use it. Wrapped swarms always look like presents.


Looks like no one's here. . .


But they are. So I poured them onto the waiting hive box.


One branch came along for the ride.



Nearly all of the bees poured out from the box now.


They spread like buzzing molasses. I even took a video but can't figure out how to get it to upload. Just imagine noise and movement and it will be just like it!


Always a few left in the box.


One good tap and there's a small blob still to go.



I slid the cover nearly closed. As it got later in the day, I figured they'd move inside the hive.


After spinning with my friends at the library, I came back to an empty box


And, presumably, a full hive. The hanger-outers might have concerned me but it is really warm.


Even the established hive has some outdoor activity at 8pm.


Esperanza said she's got another hive I can have if I want to do a cut out. Since three was my likely target (with four as a crazy possibility) it seems as though I'm finally going to have a bee season this year. The cool spring must really have delayed swarm season, as we're easily four months past normal time. Never dull.