happy mom’s day to all the queenies our there! After over 2.5 months of increase prep and swarm management, feel like a tired honey bee midwife. Had very low hive mortality (6%) overwintering almost 80 hives last winter. Been managing increase this season with a focus on strong stock that has shown good northern overwintering characteristics (varroa resistance, efficient brood zone honey storage, good spring population increase without rapid swarm cell production, just plain nice to bee around). Looking forward to using Randy Oliver’s developed methodology for efficient mite testing this season for more accurate selective natural breeding. Planning to start monitoring mite levels as soon as natural free mating has completed in a few weeks and brood breaks are over. Dandielion and fruit trees peaked 2-3 weeks ago and autumn olive currently full blooming . Been tracking closely the major spring tree and berry blooms coming on. Of course, we are now getting 3 straight days of rainy cold weather right when the black locust tree bloom is kicking into high gear. #happensalmosteveryyear #happymoms #bees #beekeeping https://www.instagram.com/p/BxYWczEH-KA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1pekax46occq3