HI from Rainy Santa Barbara,
 
One of my hives being tended by a beginning beekeeper swarmed on Fri while
I was in Las Vegas. Fortunately my student was onthe ball and captured the
hive in a cardboard box, covered with plastic to protect it from some heavy
rains we have been having.
 
There was a brief lull in the storm today so we cracked open the hive,
separating the two brood chambers to show him what queen cells look like in
various stages of development.  Mostly undeveloped queens but there was one
which showed a rather mature queen.  She backed out of her cell and
disappeared down into the colony.
 
I told my student that I hope she is mature enough to get rid of all the
others.  THe rainy weather will keep the bees caged for the next week so
plenty of time for her to destroy the rivals.
 
Keeping my fingers crossed that she does fly from the hive with a secondary
swarm.
 
Anyone else had this experience?
 
Paul Cronshaw DC
Hobby beekeeper in Santa Barbara