Allen,
Glad you like those pics from today, maybe somehow we could share them here, 
but I'm not a computer wiz.

> Just for the record, and for those who lack your years of experience, 
> where exactly are you located, and when do you start feeding?  How much, 
> and how often?  When do you stop?  Why?

Located in north central Calif.
I start  pollen feeding in Sept----Jan
I put on 6-7 pound patties, as it gets cooler they drop in size to 3--4 
pound patties.
I stop in the first part of Jan, because I start working them  (bees) around 
the 20th of the month and don't have time to work around the patties (mess).


> Also, how much natural pollen is in the comb when you start, and available 
> to foragers?  Do you see natural pollen coming in?  Steadily, or 
> sporadically?  Is any stored in the combs or is it consumed as it comes 
> in?

There is pollen stored in the comb at all times , there is very little 
coming in.

> I find it hard to believe that *all* the losses, including losses suffered 
> by very well informed and successful long-term beekeepers, can be 
> attributed only to nutrition, but who knows?

I know successful second-third-and fourth generation keepers that cant keep 
varroa under control. I am amazed how slow keepers are responding to these 
changes. The 80's & 90's  ways of doing bee business are long gone.

I was out today making splits, if I only make up 300-400 @ eight frame avg 
for almond  pollination,  well , you guys can do the math.

Keith Jarrett 

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