This week was fascinating! We’ve decided to do a “Queen of the Week” photo. And this week, it’s the queen of the west hive.

In the center of this picture pointing upwards is a drone (male bee). Drones are identified by their huge eyes. Their only purpose in life is to mate with a virgin queen and they need those eyes to find queens flying by. In fall, the hive dispenses with all of the drones for the winter because they are a waste of resources.

Look at those pollen baskets!

The east hive finally gets the addition of a second story.