During colony inspection today I noticed that I broken open a queen cell. I could see her abdomen and she was being very still. I'm betting she was a bit confused as the cell shouldn't have opened behind her! I did go in and find her to move her to another queenless colony rather than her perhaps fighting the other virgin queen to the death as usually happens. I also found another queen cell around the same stage as this one making me think the colony was preparing to swar

Well folks...didn't see this coming.  I went through all the colonies less than a week ago looking for swarm signs.  Must have missed a queen cell. Now these girls have a new home, just not as far awayas they had planned I'm sure. -Kevin

In the first picture you can see quite a few drone cells in the bottom middle of the foundationless frame. Enabling the bees to build the comb thier instinct tells them to build results in more drone brood.  Turns out to be good for queen rearing! In the second picture is what one might consider a "normal" frame.  The empty looking section in the middle has hatched out and now has eggs and larvae.  Very nice work by the queen.