Chicago & Carmel--First of the Year

Clear skies, I didn't look at a thermometer, but I guess it's in the low '60s. It's been my commitment for this, my second year of beekeeping to keep better records, then the January issue of Bee Culture Magazine had an article on keeping records--I haven't read it yet, but the title was enough to remind me. I thought I might as well do it here as anywhere. Beekeepers are curious about each other's work, and maybe somebody might be interested in this.

I have two hives: Chicago and Carmel. Named after the towns where my parents were born.

Chicago: is in the sunniest, but the lowest spot in the yard. During the big storms last week, I saw that the cinder blocks she was sitting on were islands in a pool of water. A few days ago I noticed that she seemed to be listing. Went out there today with a level and some shims, shimmed her up. The front is still a little higher than the back--not too bad--but side to side is good. Decided to take a quick look inside.

She is a brood box and a medium super. She's got some ants but not too bad. There were a few uncapped frames w/ nobody on them on the side, and an empty frame near to the middle that had a lot of action. I pulled one of the full frames, scraped it open and swapped it over to the center where they'd find it. Poor bugs. But activity around the front, saw some cells of pollen, didn't go down to the brood box. I've got hive top feeders on both hives, but they're more like attics right now--I have them filled with branches of rosemary to give the hives insulation during the cold weather. Today I pulled out the old rosemary and filled the feeder w/ new branches. I saw no mold, I'm pleased to say. But there was more honey than I would have thought. I've been seeing flying every sunny day, and I hope they're getting enuf food.

Carmel: She is a brood box and two medium supers. It looked like the top super hadn't even been touched. and things seemed quiet inside. But I went down to the middle box and there was activity and even new nectar in a middle frame. Again, didn't go into the brood box. I'll wait till it's warmer.

Blooming: Rosemary (all winter), borage, calendula (but I don't think the bees like that)