> I just got someone to fix that.  There should be a picture online now at
> the following link:
>
> http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/products.asp?pcode=u501

There it is!  It's a wonderful tool.  I haven't seen this one in person, but 
looking at the picture, I would replace the latches with the locking type. 
I didn't see covers for the glass.  Assuming that the point of having an 
observation hive like this is to leave it outside until you need it, covers 
are important.  For the time I spent building mine, I probably could have 
just as easily bought this one.  The hive in the picture is deep frames, I 
couldn't carry this far.

I built my hive for medium frames.  While I could carry it under my arm, I 
carry mine on a small dolly.  Full of bees and syrup, it is not exactly 
light. I toyed with, and dismissed the idea of putting a handle on top. It 
would be to much weight on those latches.

For just a day trip, one frame (and queen) under the glass and a little 
syrup works fine.  For a few days, I load it with the queen on the frame in 
the glass, two frames of emerging brood/pollen, two empty frames, and the 
feeder half full.  When I have it on the dolly, the hive is tilted.  I don't 
need to leave a trail of syrup.  To load it for more than a few days, I 
might remover the queen excluder. Dead bees collect on it.  I have not left 
it in the yard for more than a couple of days loaded.  When I do, I drop the 
top frame down and leave and empty frame under the glass.

An Ulster hive adds new meaning to the term "family pet".  A couple of times 
I brought it along to family outings because the kids demanded it.  It has 
been the centerpiece at the dinner table more than once.

Jim Hock
Wethersfield, CT. 

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