Filed under: August 2019 | Tags: beneficial insects, cycle of life, end of summer, fenceline weaning, lambing, pasture
August 31, 2019
Today is the last day of August. Summer is coming to a close. It feels like summer just started, but alas, she’s gone. The praying mantis in the photo, was sitting on the roof of the meat chicken’s pen. This healthy, beneficial insect and good neighbor, was looking for a meal. I think in preparation for the coming fall and winter days.
Our ewe flock grazing in the sunrise. They were recently separated from their lambs. Weaning time is a bit stressful for all involved. We wean in a way where moms and babies can see each other and often even rub noses. The lambs just can’t nurse. Once they realize they don’t need milk anymore, things start to quiet down. Mom’s udder shrinks and dries up too. She can rest up and fatten up some before the upcoming breeding season.
The lambs also graze on the lush morning pasture. They are very content now. In a couple weeks, the two groups will be put back together. The weather lambs will be separated from the ewes. The weathers will be fattened for freezer camp. The ewes will all be put together and put on our best fall pastures. They will enjoy full bellies and comfort. The ram will come to visit in early December, starting the whole cycle over again.
The days grow shorter. I am trying to cram a few extra jobs into my schedule, for I know soon we will be wrapping things up for winter, But I will cling to these days on the edge of summer. I will enjoy a few cool mornings and sit on the patio after chores in the evening, as autumn closes in, enjoying the cycle of life on the farm.
Filed under: July 2013 | Tags: beneficial insects, entrance holes, female bees, male bees, nurse bees, worker bees
Getting the bee tree ready to move
July 15, 2013
Last Friday I went to get another bee tree. It seems odd that I have gotten two in one year. In fact, this tree actually had two seperate hives in it. One was in the section you see with the climber in, the other one is right next to it.
We managed to stuff paper towels in all the entrance holes, keeping most of the bees inside while we worked. It pays to start a “bee tree” job early in the morning…while the bees are still sleeping 😮
Except for the male bees called “drones”, a hive is made up of all female bees. The drones service the queen. They are attended to by “nurse” bees, just like the “queen”. Drones have no stinger and do no work what-so-ever. The queen runs the hive, lays all the eggs or “brood”, and runs a tight ship!
The balance of the hive, the worker bees, are all ladies. I feel good about rescuing them from any plight they may be in. These last trees that I got were scheduled for removal. They were mostly dead and near houses. My friend feels as I do about saving these beneficial insects. He calls me and together, we try to do the right thing.
This tree had to be felled. One section of the old tree broke open when it landed. The hive got a little miffed. I used a little smoke, a rachet strap and a chainsaw to quickly close the section of log back up. It worked well. The other section just needed to be cut from the downed tree…piece of cake!
I brought both sections home and placed them out back. I will deal with them all later. The broken section will have to be opened and the bees removed before winter. I will do it soon so that they have time to get settled in their new home before the winter winds are howling.
Work is piling up, but I am not bored. Today, I will rescue and repair the combine that spent the night in the field stuck in the mud. I must unload the grain and get set up to try that combine job again. The sun is shining and the honeybees are working the flower blooms in the back yard. It will be a good day. 😮
RicelandMeadows 