June 8, 2014…Bee-atrice has BEES. It’s been a rough time for her, but I think this one will take.
June 16, 2014…10th day of bees in Bee-atrice Log Hive. I think they will stay this time.
While I was out of town, a huge prime swarm chose Bee-atrice Log Hive for a home. I knew if we waited long enough, we’d get lucky…I just wish I could have witnessed the swarm moving in. Bee-atrice was happy. She had been rejected twice. I had tried to console her after she had been rejected by two small swarms that I had given her. I told her that “rejection” might more appropriately be referred to as “redirection.” Those small swarms would not have made it anyway. I told her that she just had to be patient until the right swarm came along.
April 27, 2014…I drop the little cast swarm into Bee-atrice log hive. They stay a total of two days, then take off for parts unknown.
May 25, 2014…A second chance presents itself, in the form of a swarm in the apple tree. I bag it and drop it into Bee-atrice. I thought for sure it would stay, but after 8 days, it took off for the Asian Pear tree. I started thinking something was wrong with Bee-atrice…then it dawned on me…maybe I was the problem. Maybe I should just back off and let nature take it’s course…thirteen days later (while I’m away), a huge swarm picks out Bee-atrice. She later tells me, SHE rejected those little swarms, not the other way around. I guess she didn’t want to hurt my feelings.
June 9. 2014…lots of bee traffic at the entrance.
June 10, 2014…This is the first time I’ve ever seen 94F degrees (34C) register on the thermometer. This is the optimal temperature for brood. Three days ago it read 60 degrees (the ambient temperature)
June 9, 2014…the bees can be seen through the observation window. If they stay, we’ll be able to watch the comb building process.
June 16, 2014…10th day, natural comb can be seen already, through the top side entrance.
June 19, 2014…Day 13, this is where the bees hang out at night while they are waiting for the comb to be built.
June 19, 2014…Day 13, in this slightly out of focus shot, you can see how far the bees have built the natural comb…almost to the top of the observation window…a length of about 14 inches (35 cm).
Drones dropping down every time I uncover the observation window…
Getting her ready for a swarm last year.
Two month’s later Bee-atrice’s swarm chooses Bee Beard Log Hive
Adventures in Natural Beekeeping 
Fascinating to see – hope they stick around!
It’s been 12 days since they moved in. I counted a 60 second bee count today…100 or so bees entering in one minute. Let’s just say I’m very happy about that.
You’ve got some strong minded bees around you. They go where they want to, not where they are put. I look forward to seeing how the hive gets on in its log home. Amelia
It’s the strongest hive I’ve got right now. I’m looking forward to seeing the natural comb build up (down) into the viewing area. This time, I positioned the top bars so the bees would build their combs at a right angle to the viewing window. That way I can see more than one comb at a time. I’m guessing I’ll see comb in the viewing window in less than a month.
Wonderful news! Beatrice is stunningly beautiful, So happy she waited for the right swarm. Bees do teach patience!
I’m wondering if the volume of the hive has affected which bees will stay? Two castes have maybe decided it’s too big…and a prime swarm has said “That’s just right!”…any idea what volume Beatrice is??
I think you’re right, JimB. The two cast swarms didn’t pick out the hive. I put them into it. Maybe they realized they were too small to defend it (or heat it in the winter). Who knows, but I’m so happy this big swarm moved in. The volume is around 61 liters. Thomas Seeley writes the best size to attract a swarm is 40 liters, this is 1.5 times as large.
I just shot a couple of photos through the observation window to show how far they have built the natural comb already.
Your log hives are so amazing, what special things. How wonderful about the bees moving in.
Bee-atrice is turning out to be my strongest hive. Her bees are the last ones to stop working in the evening. The natural comb has reached the level of the observation window on day 16. Last year, the bees didn’t reach even half that far in six months. I’m stoked!
That’s stunning!
How exciting! great pictures and video–it’s amazing to watch!
Im building a gum hive myself, I was wondering how you set the glass. I can see you built a wooden frame frame for it, but how did you sqare off the wood around it? My window into the hive is around 5 inches x 3 feetish, its about square, but I want to make sure and eliminate all cracks and possible gaps. Did you use some sortof glue or natural sealer, or any special tools, ir did you just free hand it?thanks a bunch, your bees look great.
You’re right. I made a framework. It’s much easier that way.
Then I made a rough pattern with cardboard. I cut the plexiglass to the pattern, making it slightly over sized so I could sand it down. It’s not too hard to sand. Yes it took a while, but by doing it from the outside (instead of the inside) it enables you to get the comb out if necessary. I ended up making the plexiglass a little smaller in case the wood swelled. Pressing in the little metal things (I think they call ’em glazier points keeps the glass tight. On an earlier log hive I left a little hole open in the framework thinking the bees would propolize it in. They didn’t and every so often one would buzz through to sting me. Dang!! I filled the hole with some non-toxic aquarium caulk. That worked. 😀 good luck with your log hive…it’s more of a labor of love but it’s worth it.