Here in Santa Barbara, we are heading into autumn. One would think that the bees would begin slowing down. Unfortunately maybe this new weather pattern, El Nino, has nature in a confusion. The Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees are already flowering; normally they don't do this until Dec. after a few rains. The bees are still on the move. I have been getting a few swarm calls. The sizes of the swarms are very small so it makes me think that these are "suicide swarms" or mite-absconding swarms, perhaps trying to get away from a dying colony. I know this phenomenon is seen in AHB, multiple swarms to break the mite cycle. Perhaps we will begin seeing this in the North American feral population. Anyway I have a bee removal project, and need to make a small nuc. Are there are queens available at this time of the year? SOmeone mentioned that I can get one from Hawaii. Any "Kona" queens out there? Looking for the rains to start in Santa Barbara to begin a **better** honey year. Paul Cronshaw DC Cyebrchiro Hobby Beekeeper in Santa Barbara