Bee Beard is patiently waiting for a swarm of bees. He is finally located on site, facing east with the bamboo blocking the southwesterlies that rage in the winter.
After reading a post by Phil Chandler about the importance of moisture control and hive scent, I decided to hollow out the base. It was much easier this time as the saw pushed all the way through.
Phil was also discussing the importance of hive ecosystem…“that it might be beneficial to have wood shavings and possibly dry leaves in the hope of stimulating an ecosystem similar to the natural environment where perhaps earwigs and woodlice etc. would live below the bees and maybe eat any falling varroa.” Should I add shavings or sawdust? I’ll just rake up these shavings and jam them in the center. I can always add sawdust later.
A view from the top. The quilt box fits nicely here on top of the short top bars. Sawdust will fill the quilt box over the burlap. Then the ‘hat’ pivots back to center.
Bee Beard worked hard all winter and served up 6 swarms. I missed the prime swarm but caught three more. One went into my new Warre hive.
Preparing Bee-atrice for a hive
Adventures in Natural Beekeeping 
Love the picture of Bee Beard!!!
=D
Brian said hollowing the base was a great idea! Hopefully the bees have plenty of room now.
Thanks to you for doing such a great job carving and videotaping it. I can’t wait to get some activity in there.
I’m hoping the wood shavings will help provide an ecosystem where the mites will be eaten as the fall into the ‘duff’ below.
This weekend is supposed to be halfway dry. I’m sure the bees are busting to get out. Maybe we’ll start seeing some action.
Beautiful work! I collect pictures of log hives and I’ve never seen one that could top this.
Brian did a great job on the carving…but it’s only yard-art until I get a swarm of bees in it. I’m still looking. I got a lead on a ‘bee-tree’ at the bee meeting Saturday night. Randy knows where all the bee trees are. I’ll get a bait box hung near it on Friday next and see what happens.
I want to give thanks to Terry in Berkeley for sending me the Slovenian Bee Hive artwork and carvings when I was in the process of hollowing out my log. When I saw the picture of the carving with bees going in and out of the mouth and eyes I just knew I had to try something like that.