Any explanation for this behaviour?

[babnik42]

My bees are pretty aggressive most of the time. Not overly so that they are impossible to work, but if you take a little longer with an inspection they let me know they're losing patience. Last Friday I wanted to open up as the next day I was going on holiday and knew that two of my hives needed at least a super before I left as space was getting tight. I had been meaning to do it all week but it was cold and windy. Friday wasn't much better, it was cold and the wind was blowing hard. At about 6:30 in the evening the sun came out and the wind died down a bit. It was still a little cold but I had no other option. Had I not been going on holiday I would have skipped opening up. To my amazement I had the calmest, gentlest bees imaginable. I didn't do a full inspection, but on one hive I had a bit of a mess with brace comb which was dripping with honey which I cleared up. I felt I could have opened up without a veil (not that I'd try it).

So why were they so calm? It was later, colder and windier than when I usually open up. I kind of broke every rule except the one about doing it when the sun shines. I keep finding my bees haven't read the same books I have!

 

[enrico]

Tempers can change almost overnight. In my experience though they last for a while so I would like to think that they may stay that way for a while! Could be for a number of reasons but keep your fingers crossed!

 

[Margaret Elisabeth]

They may have needed to stay in a huddle to stay warm and only a few would come out to see if there was any real danger. Probably thought you were a fool for being out in the wind that they couldn't fly well in.

 

[Arfermo]

When chilled a bit they are often calmer. No problem.

 

[richardbees]

It's the same when you remove the crownboard in January to dribble oxalic acid

.....but they know there will always be a next time!