2019 tulip popular

I discovered my first 2019 windfall of the tulip popular flower kind.  Also shown is an invasive shrub which attracts pollinators, amur honeysuckle.  Other nectar sources at this time (not shown) include white clover and spiderwort.

Last weekend, I entered the hives for the first time this year.   The honey cap of one hive was checkerboard using foundation-less frames with no drawn comb.  The other hive was left in its winter configuration.

Weeks ago, I set tree hanging 8-frame swarm traps, but yet to see any scout bees.

2017 nectar flow

Bee cooperative weather is supporting a strong nectar flow of holly bushes, white clover, spiderwort and tulip poplar. Native mining bees and carpenter bees are extremely active too.

This year, I started to checkerboard the honey cap of over-wintered hives on March 6th. Since then, I check the honey cap every three weeks. My version of checkerboarding uses foundation-less frames with no drawn comb. Yesterday, I added another medium box to each hive. I don't know how long this nectar flow will last, but I have monstrously tall hives.

My swarm capture is drawing comb and growing in size too, but at a much slower pace than over-wintered hives.  

white dutch clover

As ever, this year is like no other year in Atlanta - Lake Lanier is 1.5 feet above full pool.  Atlanta has received lots of rain and many un-sprayed lawns are full of white dutch clover.  It took me many attempts to capture this (cropped) iPhone shot of a honey bee visiting clover.  

Had a quick look in my two hives and they seem to be healthy and with small SHB populations - one hive had one SHB above the inner cover and the other hive had zero - lots of earwigs.  Knock on wood, things look on track for a July harvest and split(s).