Defying the Odds

I know those of us beekeepers who live in colder climates are tired of looking at snow!  But I just have to share this story - and after all - they say a picture is worth a thousand words!

This picture is of my husband clearing some of the snow away from the hives.  The next day we were expecting another foot of snow.  As you can see the snow is almost even with the top of this one little hive that is just one deep hive body.

Even though this would be our first year wintering  bees, we knew the chance of this little hive making it through the winter was slim to none.  This was a very late season, small swarm.  I remember we were debating what to do, and just decided to go for it.  Several people had told us that you just never know what those bees will do and can always surprise you.  We knew they had plenty of food for such a small cluster, but with such a long, bitter winter we didn't even have a chance to check them for a long time.

Every time we looked - they were still alive!  I started feeding them about 3 weeks ago with a gallon jug placed above the inner cover, and they went through a gallon of sugar syrup in 10 days.  They still have honey reserves but I am assuming they did not want to break their cluster to get to it.  We have finally had some warm enough days that they have been able to get out and fly around.

It seems like we are more excited about this little hive making it then the bigger, stronger ones.  I have always rooted for the underdogs! 

Now, I don't know if I would keep trying this just because we have been successful so far with this one, but it does put a smile on my face and warms my heart to think that they have so far made it through this tough, unforgiving winter!