Puppy preparing for holiday.

Kangal puppy now 52kg.  Decided to hide favourite bones ready for going away on his first kennels holiday.     First make sure the coast is clear!!

Lastly a careful bit of placement!
 

 then select the right spot.

 

My Apiary to date (Early July)

I now have 4 full colonies and 1 small (result of artificial swarm).
I did the a/s as I was going away for a week and the colony was heaving but
had no swarm prep.  They were waiting until they saw the taxi pull  away up the drive before they started a new Q. cell!!
The B/Y colony is the culprit.
Anyway, the 'swarm' hive with red Q. is thriving (split done 9th June).
Bees drawing out comb and Q. filling it with eggs.
The 'original' brood hive started a new Q. cell which should have hatched on 25th June.    …………….  still waiting on 4th July.  Well I've heard that the bees sometimes delay the emergence of the virgin queen  - but 9 days?
Tomorrow I will take a last look and then decide what to do.

Queen marking

Job done -  only possible when you have a Bee Buddy to provide a second pair of eyes!! QB got so excited I forgot to take photo. of the marking ceremony. Below is all you need + a steady hand!

 

Red is 2018 Q. colour.
As you see below This Q. is a very good layer.  nice regular pattern - no gaps.  Since starting this I have successfully marked all (4) my last year's queens.