The Observation Hive

[LazyBkpr]

   I populated the hive today. Wife took a bunch of pictures. She seems more excited about it than I am. She has asked me to take the "block" off three times so she could see what they were doing.. Three times I have told her to relax and let them settle in before we start opening their world..   THEN I caught her peeking.. She screamed, then yelled at me for sneaking...   









   Tiger striped Queen!



    My own version of Paradise on earth..   I am still working on finding someone else to do all the maintenance and mowing, and researching methods of Removing certain words from my wifes vocabulary.. Primarily.. No! Go away!











   The bees are figuring out their new digs. When they are well settled in, I will get some pics inside and update!

   

[riverbee]

awesome pix scott, i am jealous of the observation hive.....looks really cool!

paradise?  yes!!!

[tedh]

Hey Scott!  NICE, man, NICE!  That will be sooooo much fun to watch.  Ted

[iddee]

I guess I'm going to have to revoke my invite to come see me. After viewing that Taj Mahal +10, I'm totally ashamed to let you see my dump. We'll just have to communicate by the forum.

Nice OB, too.

[Riverrat]

I once had an OB hive in the bedroom.  That is until somehow a bee got out and into our bed stinging the wife in the middle of the night. It was gone the next day when I got home.

[Perry]

I guess I'm going to have to revoke my invite to come see me. After viewing that Taj Mahal +10, I'm totally ashamed to let you see my dump. We'll just have to communicate by the forum.

Nice OB, too.

You and me both Iddee! 

[LazyBkpr]

Thats the womans doing guys..  I would be living in a run down 10 by 50 trailer attached to a 40 by 80 GARAGE, WITH lifts if I had my way.. 

[Bamabww]

Nice job on the observation hive Scott. Thanks for those pictures.

Nice looking place as well. You've done good on both accounts.

[Jen]

Scott- "Thats the womans doing guys..  I would be living in a run down 10 by 50 trailer attached to a 40 by 80 GARAGE, WITH lifts if I had my way.. 

     I don't think so Scott, you're being humble

Riverrat- "I once had an OB hive in the bedroom.  That is until somehow a bee got out and into our bed stinging the wife in the middle of the night. It was gone the next day when I got home.

      That Is Hilarious!

[Zweefer]

first, it looks great,
Second.  I'm SOOOOOO Jealous!

[Scott Derrick]

Really nice post. I really want to build one of these. I have just the place for it. I know there are some good companies that build them as well.

[LazyBkpr]

I have discovered, that this OB hive is an excellent measuring device..   One look in this thing tells me pretty much how ALL of my hives are doing..   If they have pollen and nectar incoming, or if they are using their resources because there is no flow.  A look at them in Early February should tell me where most of the hives are in relation to resource consumption.   I have had a MOST relaxing time kicked back in my chair watching the bees from the comfort of my living room. I have found, that inspecting this hive is actually pretty pointless. ALL I need do is remove the luan panel.  The insight to conditions and ability to relax while watching them has proven invaluable. I expected some enjoyment, everything else is a major bonus!

[riverbee]

pix from the inside scott!..........

[LazyBkpr]

Yep...

   Bottom;



   Middle;



  Top;




  And the whole hive from inside;




   I really hope this thing survives the winter.. it will be REALLY depressing to sit and look at dead bees during February when the bee fever is hitting.

   Currently the bottom box has brood in the center frame, and syrup being stored in the outer two frames. the second box has some brood in all three frames surrounded by syrup.. Progressing upward through the boxes there is syrup, and eventually honey in the top boxes.
   The Luan panel to the right of the last picture slips into the slot where the window screen would normally go to block the hive in when it is not being observed..  A LOT of bees in there at the moment.

  One advantage I will admit to, and I hope I do not hurt anyones feelings here...   When the politicians and salesmen come walking down the long driveway... (they cant drive the gate is closed normally) I just go bang on the window rather hard... then step back into the shadows with a smile.. the swearing usually recedes quickly back toward the closed gate...

[kebee]

 I think you may have to put a screen on the entrance and exit in winter, with the hive onto the house it will get some heat and they may think it is warmer outside than what it really is. Just my thoughts on this.

Ken

[LazyBkpr]

   With it facing directly into the winter wind, and toward the west, I have a greater fear that the bees will turn into beecycles. I have a feeling that their only hope will be the heat that does make it through the Luan and glass.

[riverbee]

thank you scott! very cool!  sending bee mojo your way they survive winter, it would be very discouraging/depressing or very sad to see them die off and nothing you can do....but on the flip side, maybe a learning experience?