The Colors of the Season

Yesterday we had temps reaching the low 60's, this is a little warm for this time of the year, but I thought I would make my way up and give the girls a pollen patty. I didn't give them the normal size patty, just cut it into 2" x 6" sections to see if they would take it because pollen patties attach hive beetles.

While I was there I notice them bringing in tons of pollen so I thought I would take a picture(s) so that you can see all the different colors of pollen they are bringing in. With these warm days Red Maple, Dandelions and I think Sugar Maples are blooming so that is why you see yellow, white and red pollen being brought in.

We still have snow in the forecast for today and March can always bring in freezing weather so I need to make sure they have plenty of honey or some kind of supplement like sugar water, sugar patties or fondant (just found that out last night). Yesterday each hive had 5 frames of honey left in them so with the increase of brood in the hive they will start eating more honey so I need to take some action so that they can survive the rest of the winter.

You can look at this picture and see yellow, white and red pollen in the girls pollen storage sacks.

Here you can see a bright yellow in these girls pollen sacks.