A swarm of bees in May...

....a new colony begins in the happiest way.

May 12th

The little swarm from June last year swarmed yesterday. This is the activity at the hive just before 2pm.

The photos do not capture all the bees in the air and the wonderful hum.

 

I cut the leaf and took this photo just before shaking the bees into the hive.

The colony from which this swarm came have a lovely temperament.

 

There were still lots of bees on the leaf, outside the hive and in the air, but the queen must have been in the hive as all the bees went into the hive with impressive efficiency.

The sun went in and dark clouds rolled over just as the last few bees went in. The heavens then opened with a torrential downpour of rain followed by..

  Hail! (This photo is of the hail on the deck, when the bees and I were safely homed).

By evening all is happy and calm, (yes, it is a temporary roof!)

 A new colony begins......