Beekeeping has ended temporarily...

 With both hives dying out and myself having become seriously allergic to bee stings, I've decided to stop having active hives for awhile. Now I've moved on with a new project of rehabilitating an old farm, 5 acres half wooded, in the hills above Dallas Oregon, a part of the mid-Willamette Valley here in Oregon, USA.

I'll post a few pictures and some videos to show you the beginning, summer 2021. I envision a lovely farm cottage with surrounding gardens, although not too extensive, and the forest with walking trails and a few tent sites for adventuresome nights. Stay tuned!

 All was not well--both hives died out. No bees flying on 50+ degree days so I looked more closely than in February. Very few dead bees found, some with heads in comb as if eating honey. Not sure of the cause although I wonder if there were just not enough at the end of the season for provide the warmth needed. Plenty of food stores for them which I harvested during March.

Since I appear to be highly allergic to bee stings, I'm storing the three hives for now and will resume beekeeping sometime in the future...

 February 10, 2021 Hive Check

Hmmm, bright sunny day, 49 degrees, no breeze...so I opened the long hive and see no activity and top of frames feels cool, not cold though. I looked at three end frames and found the one closest in to be full of honey on both sides, the second out was 2/3 full and the third or last had about 5" of semi-circular empty comb. I didn't want to go into the core of the hive so put attic wool cover back and closed it up. I am hopeful all is well--we shall see come spring. No mold, no unusual activity by other insects.

The entrance of the Langstroth hive is sealed by the bees themselves, except for two small holes which were there last fall.  I'm attaching a photo. No activity and it's quite complicated to open the hive with the winter insulation and covering.