SO today was the day! Slowmodem and I took a ride up to Kelley's Bee's in Kentucky. Beautiful countryside, cheerful and friendly staff, nice little store, too. You could see some of the manufacturing area (not allowed inside, obviously), but a very nice organization. I would do business with them again without hesitation.
Bee's are in the hive, pic shows the (nearly) empty container they shipped the 'package' of bee's in. Interestingly it was entirely plastic, and there was a compartment for the queen cage outside the main container area (so no dropping the queen inside when you try to open it). The food container was also more easily removed than in the wooden-style package crates I've seen/used in the past). Quite improved packaging, wondering how much it added to my cost? (
) I don't know where exactly they came from. I was told there is a Russian breeder in the midwest they get them from, that's all I know...
They were a rather quiet on the drive back (~ 4hrs), and fair once I got them installed in the hive, a few didn't take a liking to me, however, and were very persistent about it! Understandable given the travels I guess... hopefully things will be better in a few days when I check on the queen. Hive-top feeder is in place, with food, plenty blooming at the place where they are, too (azalea's nearing the end of their time, other shrubs are just starting). Here's hoping!
And BakersDozen was right, only cost $20 in gas to get up there and back in my little Honda... The $200 worth of hive components? We're going to hide from the wife and tear up the bank statement when it comes, claim credit-card theft if it ever comes up!
(but, I've got everything I need to setup a second hive, now!)