And You Thought the Derby Was Exciting...

Just as the horses broke out of their post positions for the running of the 139th Kentucky Derby, things were getting pretty exciting here at Farm Dover.

We found a swarm of bees in a tree by our back fence (not sure if they were from one of Maggie's hives, from a nearby hive, or a natural swarm). In any event, we called Maggie, who immediately left a Derby party and drove out to Shelby County to try to capture the swarm.

Here's what the swarm looked like:

What you are seeing is tens of thousands of worker bees who have left the original hive, following their old queen. They left behind about 40% of the original-hive bees and a new queen.

Just as the Derby got underway, Maggie and Ed suited up in their bee-keeper costumes and set out to cut down the swarm. Despite what you've heard to the contrary, this was definitely the most exciting two minutes in sports. We didn't know if the bees would just take off, attack, or drop nicely into the hive box.

The bees cooperated, dropping without trouble into the box. Maggie and Ed then took the captured bees out to the very front of Farm Dover to get them disoriented. They will leave them there for a day or two before installing them along side Maggie's other hives.

Maggie left to go back to her Derby party and I greeted Ed with a mint julep. So much excitement in one afternoon!