Watched a bee hatch before my very eyes!

I watched a bee be born a few days ago...at least one.  So I believe I witnessed some of the last batch of bees to be born this season.

What worries me is that I just didn't see a huge number of bees.  It seems that by this time of year, I should see more.  But I saw a bit of brood...not much.  And the bees hatching...I wonder if "hatching" is the right term.  Being born then.

The hive is not the usual setup.  I have all the brood and most of the activity in the upper deep.  And the lower deep is the honey stores.  And the stores aren't all that great either.  I just don't know if I have enough bees to cluster and make it through the winter.

I have closed off the entrance to the 3 inch width with the mouse guard over that.  I just have the two deeps there now.  I will add pollen patties very soon and will need to replenish them often this winter to ensure they have enough food.

At this point, I'll order another nuc soon, for next spring.  I had hoped to go into the winter with a very strong hive but that's not what I'm seeing.

I didn't see the queen there this time but that's not unusual, but with the fewer bees on the frames, I think I should have seen her.  But I didn't check every single frame either.  I spot checked. So that could easily be why I didn't spot her.  She had been active fairly recently given I watched some of her babies be born.

Always a mystery.  I do hope, and will continue to do what I think are the right things :) and try to get these girls through the winter.