Hunkering down for Winter

We started our hives in the river bottom along the Flatrock Creek that bisects our farm; the bees were very happy for a number of years.  But 11 months ago this month, freezing fog developed in the valley so quickly that the bees didn't have time to get back in a warm huddle.  We lost over 80% of our hives. 

To give the bees a better chance of surviving winter conditions, we re-positioned the hives up on the ridge this Fall where freezing fog is less likely.  It appears to be a great site where the bees can still  easily access water, our wildflower field, field edges and wooded areas that together provide a diverse and healthy environment for the bees.

This time of year, the female worker bees seal all of the gaps in the hive with propolis and kick the males out to preserve their honey stores for the winter.  They cluster around the queen and keep her at a toasty 95 degrees all winter long by vibrating their wing muscles which burns calories and gives off heat.  Aren't they amazing!?