The empty cage in which the queen had been shipped in.

Day 7 after installation is hive inspection day. This is when I get to check if the queen has been released from her cage and is laying eggs. Good news! The queen is free, and the cage that she came in can now be removed from the hive.

And I am just in awe. On closer inspection of the frames in the hive I discover that in seven short, little days these bees have been drawing out comb – a lot of it! They sure are productive little critters. At least 3 frames like the one below had comb (cells) drawn out and, there were eggs in the ones in the center. This means the queen is a healthy, active one which is excellent news for a strong, healthy hive.Around the outside of the egg cells were cells filled with orange-yellow pollen and some liquid honey looking substance. Honey is not technically honey until the cell is capped. It starts out as nectar. To prepare for storage, the bees will fan their wings over the nectar filled cells to evaporate and thicken the honey. (Nectar is 80% water and honey is about 14-18% water.)  Only then will they cap it. I find it incredible that the bees know exactly when the honey is at the correct water percentage. This is the miracle of nature. No special electronics and gadgets needed – just the ones nature gave them. Ingenious.

We saw the queen in this crowd for a second, but she moved fast, and was quickly covered by other bees.After inspecting and making sure all is well, it’s time to gently close up the hive again. Then I get to anxiously wait 11 long days to snoop on the hive again. Patience!