About this fixation on returning to a hive in a certain place, bees landing
on a turned hive and walking around the the now-differently-oriented entrance,
etc. --- I was watching workers returning to my hive, this weekend, and was
amazed at the path some were taking.  The hive is on top of a tool shed roof,
where it is shaded by a large ash tree in summer.  The entrance faces
northeast, and the tree dips a large branch down on the east side.  When
the tree is in leaf, bees flying in from the east would have to circle
around the branch like a plane circling in to an airport runway.  Despite
the leafless condition of the branches there, they are still following the
pattern, circling well around the skeletal branches, rather than following
a more direct route.
 
Little ladies surprised me by swarming, the end of last week.  I've caught
them tossing what appear to be dismembered queen pupae/larvae out
of the hive, the past couple mornings.  I figure I'll give the new queen a
while to settle in before checking how she's laying...  Of course, I'll never
forget the year they swarmed on February 2nd...
 
Crossing my fingers in San Jose
Jane B.  [[log in to unmask]]