Bees revving up

The Moon looking like a multi-layered cake.

Having sorted out the hive ready for the new season last time, I wanted to check up on the bees, mainly to see what their thoughts on swarming were. Unfortunately, I had to do the inspection myself. Having grown used to Goulwenn's help and company, I must say it was a much less fun affair without him.
 
The bees are very busy and working in the super, but not many of them yet, so they definitely have enough space. The brood box was very busy, as last time, with only two to three frames not having brood on them. I did not see the queen this time, despite her mark, but many eggs, which show she is around and busy. As last time, there were a number of queen cups, but more the ones bees build for practice rather than ones which really have a queen in them. I did open one to check and make sure and there was, as expected, nothing in it. So the bees are merely warming up, but don't really want to swarm yet, which would make sense, as they have just had an increase in space. However, towards the end of the inspection, I saw a queen cell that looked serious and - sure enough - on examining it, I found a larva inside! I took her out, giving me time till next week, if the bees are serious about swarming. The number of drones in the hive suggest they are, so we'll see what next week brings.

Although I did look diligently I now hope I didn't miss any other queen cells. Time will tell!

While closing the Moon up again, I took a look at the wild comb. The bees have been busy repairing this and developing it and it now covers most of the eke. That should be lovely wild comb honey.

The wild comb with its bee architects