Dick Allen wrote:

> Beekeepers:
>
> I suppose you guys down there in the Lower 48 are putting on another hive
> box already. Yesterday, May 4, up here in Anchorage, latitude N 61°, I saw
> my first dandelion blossom of the season. Today, I saw maybe a dozen or so
> more.

Consider yourself fortunate,

Here at the 51 parrallel in Manitoba, I've yet to see any dandelions
blossoms.  There are very few weeds growing  period.  The grass is making an
effort to grow despite lack of rain and a manitoba maple (box elder) is
struggling to blossom in front of my home.  The bees have had only several
decent flying days to gather pollen from willow and aspen.  However it has
been worse before.  Wintering survival is generally considered good from most
locals I've been in contact with.  I think it has much to do with the strength
of colonies going into winter, the bees looked great last september and winter
was generally mild with a good snow cover.  We only had 2 weeks of 40 below in
January.  Some fortunate southerners were able to experience what minus 40
with severe wind chill is really about during the CHC and MBA convention in
Winnipeg.
The reward for surviving these winters is a beautiful summer with about 8
weeks of nectar flow from start to finish depending on the weather that can
allow a strong colony to haul in more honey than most can imagine, 150-350 lbs
and sometimes more.  Too bad we still can't get US package bees.  Someday.

Regards,

Gilles

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