A hive of bees in May is worth a load of hay.

This past weekend our nieces and nephew came to stay with us. Our nephew inquired about the honeybee's and I gleefully talked him into opening the hive with me.  This here is us walking to the hive.  My nephew got the smoker going for me and I gave him some instructions as to what we were going to do when we got there.  Our goal that day was to add a feeder jar and do a baby check.

Walking to the hive, in gear.

Instructing my nephew to smoke the entrance. Not enough smoke could let the bee's know you don't appreciate them. Too much smoke and the bee's will know you don't appreciate them.

Opening the telescoping cover  This cover is lined on the outside with sheet metal  It will help keep heat in during the winter months.

Couple more puffs for politeness.

OPening inner cover

Removing top empty super.  A super is also known as a hive box.  This smaller empty super is technically a honey super and one day will be filled with frames the bee's will store honey in.

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Exposing top of hive and feeder jars. 

Inner hive with frame removed and my awesomely damaged finger.  I got into a knife fight and the knife won....

New comb the gals are working on!

Notice how white and clean it is!  Brand new comb will be this color until those gals really start using it.  Their dirty little feet will eventually turn it dark brown!

Exposing an inner frame that is mostly covered.  Notice the color?

Oh Happy Day! We have "caped brood!"  The babies that are layed as eggs, turn into larvae and eventually spin into a pupae.  The capping on top of the cell lets me know that we have healthy babies due in about a week in a half!  The babies will emerge fuzzy and little with NO stinger. Holding a baby bee is a pretty cool thing!  The hive is growing!