The drought went out with a bang and tennis ball size hail that cut a swath in the flora and fauna that could be seen from space. Being in town helps as the vegetation is varied, and there are several river beds within flying range (and a few feedlots where that yummy flavor comes from). The hail interrupted foraging for close to a month when the girls were supposed to be packing it away for winter.
And those damned Varroa mites!!!! I started with 2 hives and worked up to 5 for a short time and was keeping 3 running steady when the hail hit. The mites took hold the following spring and all 3 went south in a hurry. Everyone around treats for mites some way but we had hives collapsing all over and that becomes known as a mite bomb. The mites leave the dying hive for better pickings.
Its one of the "realest" things I have done in the last decade. I do love it!
