A friend has some hives on Bakers mountain, (western NC). In 2006 a hive of his swarmed but, they didn't go far. They just moved below the hive they swarmed from(found his marked queen in the swarm). He just decided to leave them under the hive, hoping they would re-enter the hive. They didn't, they remained beneath the hive. I thought I would share some pictures I took this summer of this "hiveless" hive!
He said they have survived two winters. This will be the third one if they make it thru. I'm hoping to get more pictures of them later this year, late fall/early winter. If I get the pictures I'll share them.
I'm sorry it took me so long to reply. They are a swarm from the above hive (the marked queen from hive was with them) that landed under the hive and for some reason stayed. I hope to have more pictures of them to share in a few weeks.
SmithN