On a bright sunny evening last Sunday, my friend and I captured this beautiful swarm hanging in a very convenient place under the grape leaves on a neighbours` vine - it was just about to easy to get, I half expected them to turn ferel and sting me !! They didn`t, and it was a super swarm to catch.
It was such a nice size that the complete swarm nearly did fit into the nuc box I was holding. It was a case of hold the box under the bees and shake the branch, we couldn`t cut the branch they were on as it was a main leader and I don`t think the bloke next door would have been happy with me.
We swept the rest off the branch, managed to get most of them, I popped them in the back of my car, my grandaughter, Lia was with me and she wasn`t the slightest perturbed, in fact she took some of the photos ! We drove out to the beautiful garden I was putting them in with me in my bee suit, Lia in summer clothes and the bees all covered up on the back seat !!
I poured the bees into the hive I had set up in Moondance Garden, check out their website, www.moondance.co.nz, and I`m sure they will be very happy there, the garden is stunning, huge with river views. Stephen and Jeanette are a lovely couple and I intend to see more of their gardens and them of course ! The hive is surrounded by perennials, all flowering, roses, big trees, a pond - you name it, plus a magnificent manor house. Perfect place for weddings.
I went out last night to check the hive, all looks well with plenty of bees flying around, orientating and checking out the food supply ! If all goes to plan, I might put another hive out there next year. The owners are very keen to have the bees in their garden, the hive really looks nice in the setting - adds to the ambience !
5 comments:
Nice post and lovely pictures. I am so jealous, though: in the UK the bees are all down for winter and there is next to no action going on. How I dream for the heady swarm catching season with all its fun and intrigue!
Crickey, that was quick - should you be asleep ??
I love catching swarms, especially when I don`t have to climb high or reach out to some ridiculous skinny branch ending !!
That is one beautiful swarm. Lovely garden setting, also.
Funny you should mention timing to Kenzie - I'm still trying to figure out what day it is when you post/email. I think you're at least 1 day ahead, if not more.
I have to second Kenzie's comments. The rain hasn't stopped all day and chasing swarms around seems a million miles away. I hope the bees settle in well into their new surroundings.
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