In The Meadow - Bees and Blackbirds

Our beekeepers were in the meadow the other day, looking for a queen.  To do this you have to take the whole hive apart.

Finally found, she is there somewhere, or maybe she has slipped onto the other side.

The queen is finally captured and will be marked with a blue dot, this year's color.

The latest - a mini hive!  I also learned today that they will be harvesting honey over the Fourth of July weekend.

There he is, the male red-winged blackbird.

And singing his kon-ka-reeee.

But have you seen his lady love?  Here is the female close to her nest in the cattails.