Hops, crocus is our first bloom, in February with frost, but not enough for the bees as I have about 10 plants. Winter Anconite??? I have to google that one.
Old Beavo, that is a good tip: drones represent a healthy, unstressed hive.
BEEBOY, Bob W. You fellas still are killing me with envy,,, capped drone brood, 80F,,, in my dreams. All I need is SawDust, Jim, to elicit a vocabulary of tropical weather like conditions and I moving. Say no more, I am cold and wearing a down jacket with net heavy cap while you southern beeks in short sleeve and tanning oil taking care for surplus frames of honey, pic enclosed, due to active honeybees, more pics, are most likely mowing your lawns then watering the garden. My bees are still clustered, not even warm enough for elimination flights. Not a crocus flower in sight, this end of January in N Arkansas.
OK, I ranted, thank you for putting up with me. Seriously, I adore reading about the warm weather, active bees, pollen, flowers...
Signed; Mr. Chilly.
Add. winter anconite: looks like a good low bush flower for bees. Hops, are all the blooms yellow?