02 February 2011

Snow bound bees

This has been a crazy winter here in the south.  I mean as a teenager this was known as Hot 'Lanta!  The winters are usually mild around here, don't get me wrong, I love, love seeing snow.  I worry about our bees though.  I had hubby put bubble wrap on the bee hives along with the usual tar paper he uses back in the late fall when we were getting cold weather.  At first he didn't want to, but I'm suspecting after all the protesting he is glad it was done.
This hive did not make it  After our close to 70 degrees this past weekend the bees were busy robbing what was left in the hive.  That's ok they need it more than we do so they can survive.
These two are part of our newer hives.
This is where we usually sit when the weather is nice to clean out the bee boxes, add new wax, etc.  It is much easier doing it here as I swear it feels like they cement the frames together so you really have to scrape to get it clean!
So, after the beautiful weekend we are back to cold winds and rain.  I know up north bloggers are laughing as to the winter we have, and believe me right now I feel real sorry for you guys! All that snow through so many states....yet I'll take snow over ice, and ice is what they are predicting in the next day or so.  No wonder people are feeling poorly, hot, cold, hot, cold.  Though I must say one thing.  To those people I saw in the grocery store with tank tops, short shorts, and flips flops....we are not in southern Florida!  Weather can change real quick.  Can you tell this head cold is making me a little feisty?!!

11 comments:

Doris Sturm said...

I guess some people are naturally hot blooded ;-) I'm sorry some of your bees didn't survive...maybe if that keeps up, you'll have to build them a shed for putting your hives indoors next winter...I am planning on moving further north so that I can have some snow too next Christmas! I do miss it, especially after seeing everyone else's.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I wondered about some of the folks who keep bees up here--how they survived first the storm, which was beyond words, and then the cold coming in tonight.
Always wanted to keep bees; my grandfather did and I loved the fresh honey he would bring in for breakfast! YUM!!!
Hope you get feeling better; I am just so sore from two days of non-stop snow and ice removal, I can barely move. And I did not notice any grumpiness, so what does that say about MY humor??? LOL!!!
Take care and stay warm till the thaw.

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Dianna said...

Ahh Ulrike! The wonderful art of beekeeping! Isn't it wonderful? I am hoping we can start back with this hobby this summer. I miss helping my husband work the bees and the spinning of the honey in the fall. Yummy!

Your snow is beautiful. You are such a good photographer.

*Ulrike* said...

Yes Doris, I guess some are hot blooded, me too, but it comes in hot flashes! And why do they have to look so trim and tanned too?!
Anne, you crack me up!!

Anke said...

I am so glad we didn't get any more snow. It was freezing cold here today, but no snow!
I'm so sorry about you loosing a hive, hopefully all the others will survive.
You must be thrilled about getting visitors from Germany. We are all so excited about my sister and her hubby coming.
I had to take Hannah to the Dr yesterday (almost a temp of 101, headache, throat hurting..) and had them check my throat as well. They said we were both fine. This morning Hannah woke up with a temp of almost 102, so I took her back in. She doesn't have strep nor the flu, but was given an inhaler because she is very congested. By the time we got home, I had a message from the Dr I had seen yesterday - I have strep! I went to work today!! Now I'll have to stay home from work tomorrow and go pick up my meds... It's been one of those weeks...

Comfrey Cottages said...

I worry about my bees all winter too. Just like a mother hen! so far, my two are doing good, and so is the one at my brothers. get feeling better soon fiesty one! crazy how much snow you have got this year! xx

Rosine said...

Liebe Ulrike,
hier : http://www.pruessner-hannover.de/Texte/weihnachten/texte1/Eine_Wintergeschichte.htm

findest du eine wundervolle Geschichte über Schnee. Ich hoffe du findest eine gute Übersetzung. Die Geschichte ist wirklich sehr, sehr lustig!!!

Have a good time

Rosine

Southern Lady said...

Poor bees! Hopefully the warm days will soon become more frequent! Stay warm. Carla

Mary said...

...........still enjoying your delicious honey and know your bees worked hard to make it so fine!

Bob's off to LA for a few days, nice weather there - then I head to San Francisco to visit my friend............we'll be doing some exciting things together AND of course planning some more wonderful trips for this year.

I didn't wear Summer clothes on Sat., but I did get to take my coat off while out in the sunshine - felt wonderful.

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Oh Ulrike,
I hope you feel better soon with that head cold, but a bit of feisty-ness is always a good thing I think, right?!

How wonderful to keep bees, I am happy to hear you bubble wrapped the hives, what a wonderful thing to do to keep bees and their hives safe!
xo~Tracie

Simone @ Doberman's by the Sea said...

Hi, cute photos, and I guess it is part of global warming to have freezing temps in the south now lol

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