First Official Visit to the New Bees

The bees had a few days to get settled in and we were anxious to see if the queen made it through the transition without getting balled(basically smothering her) by the worker bees. A common occurrence when you introduce a foreign queen to a hive. When we opened the hive it was oddly quiet and as the cover came off I was a bit nervous that the hive was going to be empty. It wasn't! These bees are peculiar to me and nothing at all like the other hive of bees I have. But that's the thing about bees they are always different and they are always surprising you. They say there are about 10,000 bees in a 3 lb package (this is the size we got), I don't know if I believe that, I think there may have been 5,000 to start. There are less now, some died in transport, and some drown in the sugar water. That one was my fault, long story! I am a bad beekeeper, but Bill Turnbull says not to worry, it happens. (Confessions of a Bad Beekeeper) So anyway back to the story, The bees are all clustered in a huge mass across the length of three frames, covering the front and back of both. When I say clustered I mean they are one on top of another stacked 4 and 5 deep (wish I had my camera). They have 7 other frames! it isn't cold out and I can't understand why they would be like that, but I guess they know what they are doing. I'm pulling out the frames loaded with bees and they are super heavy, I couldn't see the plastic frame foundation beneath all the bees and I wanted to see what they had been up too, so with my finger I gently push a mound of bees aside. I can't believe my eyes! In less than 2 days time these bees have built several frames of honey comb, not only that but they have most of them filled already. Gives new meaning to the term busy bee! I can't see the queen anywhere and it is too early to see if she has started laying eggs yet. the only way this hive will survive is if she is still alive. Only time will tell. The bees that I pushed aside stick to my gloved fingers and for a moment I am just standing there starring at them on my hand. Their wings are fanning so fast that I can actually feel the vibration through the leather. The bees really don't even notice our presence at first and I am out there in bare legs and feet (I'm getting brave) my face is still covered and probably will always be covered, I can't imagine getting stung in the face! By now we have been there a while and a few are starting to get excited, I know this because there are 3 or 4 buzzing furiously and loudly buzzing around my head, I'm sure in bee language this is creating quit a scene. They could be communicating with their sisters saying come over here and help us get rid of this thing. So it is time to go. I am getting brave but I'm not that brave yet. Check out this guy in the video, seeing things like this make me just a little more comfortable around the bees. They really are not here to sting, they really mean no harm. But seriously!? whats the matter with this guy???