Well folks, I collected my first swarm. Sorry no video. I couldn't keep that in the truck, and I said I would have to remember it...
OW! As you may have guessed I got some of the equipment together, put it where I would belong, and then spent all winter/spring making sure I "got it back in the truck." I was at the point I didn't expect a call, but yesterday I did. The man on the phone said they were in a bush about "hip high." I guess I couldn't have asked for anything easier.
Pulled out a deep with top and bottom board, looked at the swarm, it was that. It was about hip high in his landscaping 3 feet from the curb. There was a chick rollerblading up and down, seemingly unconcerned as to the activity going on here, they bees had started building comb on that branch.
I sprayed them with sugar water, and tried to shake them, I didn't want to cut up his bush, they didn't fall very well. I guess there was about a quart of those bees. I put on my Cloth gloves, if you see where I'm getting at, and tried to scoop them off and drop them in the box JP style. I got stung 6 times, nice gentle bees but they dint lak thet.
I had the hive underneath and shook the heck out of his bush, leaves and twigs were scattered all over. But I suppose it coerced the queen into the box, they came out and started fanning so I replaced the frames and lid. It took about an hour, but they vacated the branch while I licked my wounds and grumbled. The Gentleman was fairly interested in the process, talked about what was going on, was surprised that I didn't smoke them.
Bees are now at the farm with sugar and water and a nice old hive body to remodel and make into home. I am leaving them alone to get settled.