very colorful.

Very nice Tony!
It looks like you have more snow then we do.
Konrad

Winter is still going to be around here up north for at least another month or so.
I know 2 hives are dead, perhaps a 3rd. one?
I'm not too concerned, I'm happy to have 3 good producing hives.
{{gwi:434749}}
Konrad

Waiting for spring here too!!
Hives:
[IMG]http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l65/kwrabbit/Beekeeping/IMG_5949.jpg[/IMG]
Bee keeping shed:
[IMG]http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l65/kwrabbit/Beekeeping/IMG_5950.jpg[/IMG]

Nice pics buzzbee, esp. one with hives. :)

Tony,
I sure enjoy your input, thank you. Looking at the snow pictures reminded me to share what I did. I have a 6'x6' piece of stockade fence to block the wind on the north side of the hive. I also have a piece of foamcore insulation (used in building houses, non-toxic, no fiberglass)on the west and north side of the hive tied in place with a string (dead air space makes for even more insulation value without decreasing air circulation around the hive. The east and south are open for warming of the sun (and the entrance is on the east). Oh, and a piece between the outside top and concrete block I keep up there to keep the critters out.

I always say "Maybe I'll wrap this year" but never do, although with the temps below zero this week, I wonder. They seal things up mighty nicely, but the black would soak up some heat if the sun happens to make an appearance.I make sure they have ventilation. With the concrete pipes on top, I think Konrad has installed little woodstoves in some of his hives to keep the bees warm! I always enjoy his great pictures. Tony

Thank you Tony for the inspiring comment!

Since yesterday and hopefully another couple of days honey bees can go out first time this winter [in my neck of the woods] for their cleansing flight.
{{gwi:434750}}

Poop in snow...
{{gwi:434751}}
..

One hive with allot of dead bees!
{{gwi:434752}}

..

Konrad

Does this mean the hive is lost?. Mine came out the last two days too. Nice to see them alive and hopefully well.

I was asking this myself...then I was looking into the hive cover hole to see how active this hive is, surprisingly
it was looking good but winter is not over and with soooo..many bees gone they might not make it, we still have
at least two more month cold weather and with low bee population they might not have enough warmth to survive.

Konrad