Finally Got My Colonies!

I finally got my 4 colonies of Apis cerana.  We bought them at Balete, Batangas and hauled it all the way to Amadeo, Cavite, about 3 hours travel via the long flat route.  I was really worried that the bees would get stressed out. They probably would have if we traveled by day.  But we all got home safe. We immediately set up the hives, picking, at that time, what I thought was the safest location that will afford some shade at noon.   We turned the hives so the hive entrances face east.  Then I removed the cover.  The bees did not fly out... so I was a bit relieved that the bees did not abscond.  

I really did not get any sleep last night contantly thinking about the bees.  I was awake when my phone alarmed at 4... I did not get up until 5... When I went to see the bees, the hives were still quiet... no activity whatsoever, though I can hear the feint buzzing inside if I put my ear against the hive.  When 6 am struck, the bees got out one by one like clockwork.  I think some of the bees were disoriented.  I saw two bees wrestled each other to death on the ground.  I was afraid that I may have put the hives too close to each other, but I later dismissed the idea as I have seen some videos where hives are placed side by side, and mine was distanced around a meter.  

At this time, I decided to put the sugar-water feeder back to the hive.  I have earlier resolved not to feed the bees with sugar, but after my talk with the beekeeper last night, I have decided that I will do with sugar-water regimen for now, until I have the bees, probably the next generations, have acclimatized with their new environment and have learn not to rely on sugar-water.  The beekeeper confirmed that this is possible especially if I am not aiming for commercial production, I must carefully observe the colony.  Soon, I saw the bees took their orientation flights around the hive and zoomed to nowhere.  A few minutes later, some of the bees were flying back inside the hive carrying baskets full of white polen.  I wonder where they found it.  It must be quite near for it was only about 20-30 minutes since I saw the first be flew out of the hive.  A few more minutes later, bees are dumping white polen in their hive... maybe, just maybe, I can really do away with the sugar feeding, especially if I have planted the whole garden with wild flowers and herbs.  

Before I left the bees, I hung 2 swarm traps on nearby trees.  I was told by the beekeeper  that 2 or 3 of the hives already have queen cells and are ready to divide any moment.

with an extra feeder outside...