No chance of smoking out from below. The folks have had this place going on 3 years. Last summer they showed the same activity level as I saw yesterday and the day before... but the smell of honey was so strong the inside of the house smelled of honey.
Todays weather was overcast with the threat of rain. About 15 degrees cooler than yesterday. Could they be further down the chimney? Matter of fact, yesterday I watched 3 honey bees take to a yellowjacket that was nearing the enterance. They landed on him, drug him to the deck where I was standing, and few back to the hive entrance.
This sound like robbing?
I'll wait for another nicer day and take pictures of the entrance activity.
Thanks everyone for their help. I really appreciate it.
Mark
PS... where do I pick up package bees this time of year in Oregon? I seriously want a hive of bees to work up.