Ooops

March 22 2017
Had a busy morning, so didn't get out to check on the girls til about 2pm. Lots of activity outside of all but one hive. There was no sign of any life in front of  Hive 3. We had seen life last week, so what happened?
It was quite warm out so I decided around 3, I would go put pollen patties out in a couple of the hives today and do the other 2 tomorrow.
Since there had been no activity in front of Hive 3 it was first. I removed the winter roof, cover, attic box and inside cover and low and behold, there they were. They were feasting on the stored honey. All happy and content. Guess they would rather stay indoors then come out.  Weird.
So I put in a pollen patty and closed it back up. I completed the next hive (hive 4) also. And while adjusting the Styrofoam back around the hive bodies, I noticed that it had slipped down a bit and covered off the entrance of hive 3. Guess the wind must of moved it and blocked their door way, hence why they hadn't been outside for a few days.
I was so happy an hour later when I wandered over to see them again and they were all outside. Judging by the poop on my gloves and coat....they must of really had to go

March 14 2017
Well the winter is finally giving us a bit of a break. The mercury is above 0 now and today the bees were all out flying. It was great seeing all 4 hives made it through the long cold winter. I decided since it was mild this morning when we first got up, it might be a good day to see bees.
So I wandered out around noon. There was evidence of major housecleaning in hive #1. Lots of dead bees on the front porch, so I decided to pop off the entrance reducer and sweep out  the bottom board.
They instantly reminded me why I call them the cranky hive. Then I did the same to hive 2. I was kneeling on the ground and I guess one of the girls crawed up my boot and up my pant let. So my first sting of 2017 happened today.
I felt awful since these girls fought to survive the winter and had to die getting pinched in my pant leg.
Later this afternoon I wandered out several more time to watch them, and on the 3rd trip out, hive 4 (aka the swarm hive) was out flying. Yeah 3 out of 4.
About an hour ago I wandered out once again, this time lots of activity in front of hive 3 (aka the Nuc) So I feel pretty good.
So now to wait until it warms up so I can look inside and check the queens. But that will have to wait a few more weeks I think. As the weather is so unstable right now.
Anyways that's it for now.