Cut frames and the queen is free!

Since the swarm colony didn't seem to be thriving and wasn't expanding, I took Anna's advice and cut down the Langstroth frames so that they would sit along the top bars.  Borrowing her queen catcher, I secured the queen before starting.  The queen is at the bottom of the catcher with the pink dot.

When I took the first frame out of the hive, I noticed a new bee emerging as I was removing it.  May not be as cute as a puppy, but you have to admit it looks pretty cute up close.

I just cut off the corners so that the frames could fit into the hive.

After I cut down the frames, I put them back into the hive.  I also spaced the last two frames.  You can tell the frames that I cut down; I put the top bars upside down on top.  With the blank top bars between the other frames, the bees should draw out straight comb.

Side view shot of the cut frames through the window.

I also went into the package side of the hive.  I was about to release the queen, but she was already out.  The can from the package is still in there, so I'll have to check it again in a couple days.  Let's hope they start building comb.  With them hanging from the top bars like that, their wax-producing glands should be stimulated so they can get started.