Well it’s official, Azzza Hive did not survive the winter. Azzza Hive was one of our first hives and remained strong despite the odds being against it summer after summer. Its Honey Bees survived the death of their Queen, bravely defended themselves against predator field mice, and courageously fought off marauding sugar ants. They even survived record breaking cold. But alas, they are no more.

Our first suspicions something was amiss came in early spring, when there was minimal activity around the hive. But we just thought it was due to the unusually cold and wet weather. After all, even I didn’t want to go out and play fetch. However, when Dad opened the hive in April, he noticed the dead Honey Bees far outnumbered the living. But not to be deterred, he moved them and their Queen, along with their precious stores of honey, into a smaller hive, in the hopes the Honey Bees would rally and gain momentum.

We truly thought Dad’s plan was working because of all the activity around that small hive. However, when he checked on it recently the horrible truth was revealed. The Honey Bees had all die. The activity we saw was our surviving hive stealing the nectar from their tomb. Boldly they entered the hive, moved the bodies of the dead out of their way, and went to work meticulously removing the Golden treasure stored in the honeycomb. At least Azzza Hive’s hard work was not in vain, and will go on to feed a new generation of Honey Bees.

Sadly, our Dire Wolf Beez also did not survive the winter. I blame Asa for that because not only did he name that hive after an animal that went extinct, his personal irreverent take on being a Dire Wolf was not a good role model. However, unlike the Azzza Hive, we immediately realized the sad fate of those Bees, and removed the frames filled with delicious honey before they could be raided. We will honor the memory of our Dire Wolf Beez by harvesting their honey for our personal consumption.

So who are these tomb raiders who do not respect the final resting place of their deceased neighbors? None other than Lemmeez Hive. Not only did they survive the winter, they are even more ornery than last summer! Dad just has to look at that hive and they start flying his way to show him who’s boss. I suppose I can’t blame them. We did steal their honey last year. Who knows, maybe we inspired them to steal their neighbor’s honey? I must admit though that I like their mercenary attitude of entering the sacred tomb of Azzza Hive to claim the unused nectar as their own. There’s something to be admired about their no nonsense attitude.

I’m also happy to report that the newest inhabitants of the Chuck Beely Hive are thriving. Those Honey Bees arrived from Georgia in April, and have been hard at work making their new home nice and comfy for the many eggs that the Queen is laying, while exploring the best sources for pollen in their new neighborhood.

So as we begin a new season, paws crossed my Honey Bees continue to thrive, and that Lemmeez Bees chill out a bit so they don’t chase Dad around the yard again! And if they do, I’ll be sure to have Mom’s camera ready to record it!