I think I did to many rain dances

Well, It rained all day last Thursday , then around 4 p.m the storm really hit and with it a tornado. Now I don't know how many of you have ever been around a tornado , but this was a first for me and I was out in it. Driving around looking at the water accumulate. I guess the smart thing should of been to stop , maybe find cover. However , my first reaction was to drive and drive and drive. Anyway thats over now and the next day was lid and bee clean up. Yet , to my surprise only 3 lids flew off and one was on a dead swarm. Now , a week later , the wild mustard is starting to come up good and it shouldn't be long before wild flowers are in droves. Creosote bushes are begging to bloom. Its what I call pre-spring . Queens are coming the first of February and splits need to be made. ahhh much work.

Rain Beautiful Rain

In this dry desert region rain can never be underestimated. It is a wonderful thing to see rain on the forecast all week. Its much needed in the Palo Verde Valley let alone Southern California as a whole. The first rain of the year! Soon the wild mustard will be in full bloom . I'm already seeing Creosote bushes begging to flower and the great Palo Verde Tree will be shortly after. Queens are beginning to start laying for early spring and I'll be making splits in early February. Life seems to be good.

Happy New Year -- swarm call #1

I didn't expect for the first swarm to come from an actual swarm , especially on January 4th. Typically when you come across a swarm this early there's a problem. I put a small nuc on a ladder underneath and brushed them off the eave into it. They went right down in and seemed happy to have the sugar water. I came back an hour later and took them off. This ladies and gentlemen is as easy as it gets . I'll check them in about ten days and see whats going on...







Mission accomplished.