You're right David.
There are actually a lot of early pollen sources here, Galanthus being available
while there is still snow on the ground. I haven't tried tasting any of the
pollen from the bag yet...it just seems weird. The smell doesn't seem to 'go'
with anything that comes to mind. I won't feed it if there is any risk though,
so it will be human and not bee food.

I like lactobacillus fermented cucumbers and other fruits, but I can't imagine
the taste of fermented pollen. I wonder if the pollen in that big bag could be
used to flavor other fermented foods? Hmmmm.

The pictures of your bees' remodeling are amazing. What would drive them to do
that? Maybe not enought room for drones in the original design? (joking of
course, I have no real guess) The comb I gave my package was icky for sure,
there were dead bees in some cells that I couldn't get out and the whole was
beginning to grow green mildew. They just cleaned it up and are storing honey
where I can see it. they have one new complete comb now and are working on a
second, some new wax extending the depths of the old comb in places too. Still
all in just the top box.

Chris in NY

David wrote:
> I agree with John & Dave C; and because you live in an urban area there is
bound to be a high diversity of plants, some, e.g. Galanthus spp. & Crocus spp.,
flowering early in the year when pollen shortage in the hive could be greatest.
>
> And the pollen out of comb has an extraordinarily interesting taste. I tried
some a couple of days ago. The result of the lactic acid fermentation is very
noticeable.
>
> Chris: "David, they have not shredded or dismantled the old comb, they are
> cleaning out the remaining few dead bees stuck in the cells and have
> polished everything. "
>
> I was astonished at what I found yesterday with the colony I photographed
> for the page about remodelling comb at
> http://www.heaf.freeuk.com/warre_comb_remodelling.htm on 17 June. Then there
were a fair number of bees but most of the remaining comb was visible. Yesterday
that had all changed and it was comb completely covered with bees right to the
floor. I wish I'd given them the 3rd box on 17 June as the rapid build up to
fill box 2 may have triggered the swarming impulse.
> ____________________________________________________
>
> David Heaf North-West Wales, UK
> Warré & 'National' hives at 30 m over mean sea level
> Warré beekeeping English web portal:
> http://warre.biobees.com/index.html
> ***OR***
> http://www.heaf.freeuk.com/warre/
> ____________________________________________________
>