I've also had some questions on the hives. Unlike the "traditional" box type hives (called Langstroth hives), these are Top Bar hives, or more specifically, Horizontal Top Bar (HTB) hives. They are popular in Africa due to their simplicity and inexpensive construction. Again, WikiPedia has some good info - Top Bar. In the US, they are becoming a common choice. I decided on the design because I could easily make it and, unlike box hives, I can manage it without lifting heavy boxes full of bees and honey. TB hives are also supposed to be better for the bees as you disturb them less when checking in on them. My particular design comes from Christy Hemenway of Gold Star Honeybees, a company Christy started to promote Top Bar Hives. Her design, and the fact she works in a similar northern climate (Bath, Maine) looked good to me, so I ordered the plans. Thanks Christy! Do check out her site and videos. They were a lot of help and encouragement for me :-) .
As for the bees, they are hanging in there for more cool rainy weather. They have been draining about a quart of syrup a day! Yesterday, I fired up the wood oven for the first time since installing the bees.
Things should pick up this week. We will be in Portland to get a visit with Jess at one of her meetings, but the weather here is supposed to peak out in the 70's. I'm sure the bees will be hopping! I've noticed several patches of trillium and other wild flowers blooming down the road, so I hope they'll find them. Plenty of dandelions anyway as I can't cut the lawn with all the rain we've had :-)
Think Bees!