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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment

Spring cleaning the hive

Hive covered with snow
February, and the hive is covered with snow. It may help to insulate the bees as they snuggle together inside. Photograph: Brian McCallum/Brian McCallum
Bees enter and leave a hive
Even during the winter months bees were coming and going from the hive's tiny entrance, bringing back pollen on their legs. Photograph: Brian McCallum/Brian McCallum
a bee
A brave bee leaves the hive in February when the temperature is just 9C. She even stops for a rest before going back into the warm. Photograph: Brian McCallum/Brian McCallum
inside the beehive
The hive is opened for the spring clean. Photograph: Brian McCallum/Brian McCallum
Alison Benjamin inspects a frame
Alison takes out a frame and has a look at how some of the 10,000 bees are faring. Photograph: Brian McCallum/Brian McCallum
bees on a honeycomb
The large white area in the middle of the frame shows the queen bee has been busy laying. Photograph: Brian McCallum/Brian McCallum
bees
The bee army is ready to take on another year. Photograph: Brian McCallum/Brian McCallum
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