We are coming up on our first bloom of manzanita. My pluot tree will also be in bloom soon. It's supposed to be in the high 60's all week, so I'll be out watching my bees return to the hive.
Sat for only 1/2 hour yesterday in the beautiful 73 degree weather watching my bees. They were bringing in a lot of pollen in my main hive, though I'm not sure where they are getting it as there isn't much in bloom yet. The manzanita just opened the first few flowers yesterday.
My smaller hive had a good amount of orientation flights going on, but not much pollen coming back. They have a patty in the hive though, so they'll be fine.
I need to get the feeders on the hive today. I didn't have time yesterday.
We are in for a big cold snap. I hope my girls are starting to brood up for the coming season. If they toss out dead brood like they did a couple of weeks ago when it got down to 12°, I'll know what they are up to.
OK, I've gone over the picture as best my old eyes can... What am I supposed to be seeing? the interesting shadow? green grass? the suspension spring? Not one of your typical pics...
My apricot tree is in bloom as is some mustard and wild radish. Also daffodils but not sure that the bees like those. Unfortunately I have no bees here until March and it looks like my neighbor's hives have been moved. Not much wild bee activity going on either which doesn't bode well for getting fruit. It is pretty sad when you live in the country and don't see any bees. When I lived in the city I used to pollinate my zucchini squash plants with a paint brush but you wouldn't think that would be a problem living in a rural area. I tried to get a hive earlier than March but none to be found.
The first pollen source around here is Alder which should be available already. I also see that the hives are all in the almond orchards just waiting for the magical moment. My almond trees are just starting to show white buds. Yeah for spring.
Wow, my daffodils haven't even poked through the ground yet. I've seen mustard in bloom down the hill, but not here yet. My pluot tree will be in bloom in the next week.
I've never noticed Alder around here, I'll have to start looking.
I saw some bees on my apricot blossoms so that me happy. Also a lot of little tiny wild "bees"; really hoping for some apricots so I need those pollinators. Our manzanita is only a few days away from bloom, wish my bees were here.