Report from South Carolina:
 
   Gorgeous spring is upon us and the bees are coming on fast now.  The last
week of January began the maple flow, then it was interupted by the coldest
weather of the season, with one low of 8 degrees F, here. The second week of
February the flow resumed as if nothing had happened.  It is now over, and
bees are ready to rob at the drop of a hat - a real nuisance when you are
trying to feed.
 
   Peach bloom is beginning on early varieties, though I'm sure there has
been some freeze damage.  Wild mustard was killed back somewhat, and there
isn't near as much as usual for the season.  It is a good pollen source, but
not nectar.  A lot of anise hyssop is now starting.  I am glad to see any
bloom for the bees during this barren period that always follows the maple
flow.  The next real flow usually gets on about the last week of March.
 There is a lot of variation among the bees, with some that have just barely
made it (2-3 frames of bees, one with brood) and others that are wall to
wall, with 6-8 frames of  brood.  We are equalizing brood, and sometimes
switching hives to equalize field force, then feeding heavily.
 
   It's getting very dry, similar to last year, when late winter dryness led
to spring drought.  We had a wildfire run through part of a bee yard,
destroying some equipment and one hive.  Could have been a lot worse, but we
now must get busy burning off all yards that have pine straw.
 
    Earlier in the winter, it was too wet to burn.  I heard my wife talking
to the bees.  She was saying: "This may look like fire to you, but it's
really fire insurance."
 
   These are the days that make you glad to be a beekeeper.  Lots of folks
are looking out the window at the sunshine and wishing for the magic hour of
freedom, when they are finally able to get out of their cubicles.  We are out
there, enjoying the sunshine.
-Nice to work in a T-shirt again.
 
    Y'all pale and sneezy northerners, come on down and enjoy our fine Myrtle
Beach, one of the best spots in the USA for a spring vacation.
 
[log in to unmask]     Dave Green, PO Box 1200, Hemingway, SC