Temperatures where I am are now going down to a cool 9 degrees Celsius (48.2 degrees Fahrenheit) overnight. It's not winter for me per se as I've spent more winters in Canada during my lifetime than I have in any warmer climates.

For me, it's a bit strange not hearing the happy buzzing of my honey bees coming from their hive. It's my first winter ever with the bees and I don't have the experience to know how they're going to react to the cold weather.

Listening to your bees is really important because the sound the hive is making will tell you a lot about how and what they're doing. Even though this is only my first year with bees I've quickly learned to know the difference between how a happy hive sounds and how the one bee buzzing around me that's not in a very good mood sounds. I use the way the way the bees sound as an indication on when I should give them a little more smoke when I'm in the hive too. The smoke keeps the bees calm and allows me to work them without worrying so much about being stung.

I'm used to seeing so much action around the hive and a constant buzzing of little wings if I hold my ear up to their hive. But at this time of year I have to listen a lot closer. Those little wings have slowed down to a barely audible buzz.

At first, I have to admit, I was a bit worried when there was no action around my beehive. I actually thought that I had lost the whole hive. But after some careful observation I realized that the honeybees were just all together in the hive trying to keep warm.

During the summer these girls are so active, flying back and forth gathering pollen and doing their impressive orientation flights.

About a month back I gave them dry sugar in case they didn't have enough food to get through this difficult time of no flowers or pollen. It's not ideal food for them but it will keep them alive. Next year I hope they have enough honey stores to make it through the cold season without any sugar.

Don't worry girls - citrus flower season will be upon us soon!