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.

summer forage - invasive porcelain-berry

This week in Atlanta, I found honey bees on an invasive plant, porcelain-berry climbing vine.   A vigorous and attractive landscape plant from Asia, but it out competes native plants for sunlight and nutrients.