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We were asked to do a bee colony removal at Capilano Suspension Bridge from the top of a tower that was to be demolished. They were a well-established colony, and the interesting part was their entrance was about 40 feet up. This made it a challenge to get all the gear we might need up on the small space of a lift - oh, and the beekeepers too! The tower cavity mimics a natural tree hollow, and how the bees would build their beeswax comb. The bees were quite docile, kind of unexpected, as we were disassembling their home. Our goal was to cut the comb out and piece it back together in frames, holding it in with elastics. Making it as similar as we can to a managed colony; brood comb (baby bees) together, pollen next and then lots of honey comb. We gathered as many bees as we could until it got too sticky and slippery. We then transported them to another apiary (bee yard), where we placed them the colony on top of another strong hive to allow the heat to rise through. 
Date: Oct 24, 2014 Location: Capilano Suspension Bridge
Top of the tower. Do you see the entrance hole on the right?
The entrance to a hive that has been established for years
Hello girls!
Am I really doing this? How high up?!
Geared up for honey and wax, not rain.
The girls are wondering what's going on.
Once the wood is off, we see it mimics a tree hollow.
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Waaayyy up!
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Sideways view - top of tower
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Sideways view - top of tower
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Nice chunk of honey!
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Loads - o - bees
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Notice the older darker comb on the top. Newer white comb on the bottom as they add to the colony.
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Hopefully this cut out of wax will fit in our frame.
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Staff spectators. Geez, we're high up!
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Natural comb at its finest.
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Removal complete.
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Picking a hive to put them on.
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Dark comb is brood (baby bees), light comb is honey.
The colony pieced back together with their comb and elastics.
Scooping them into their new box.
We put them on top of another colony hoping they share heat.
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All different colours and sizes of comb. Beautiful!
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