Slushy Mess

A slushy mess this morning.  Freezing drizzle, snow flurries last night and continuing this morning and temps not yet out of the freezing mark.  No power for a little while this morning but now everything is up and running.  So glad to have power and heat - we are such creatures of habit.  The animals got up and went back to bed - what a life! 
My camellia limbs are hanging so low - afraid they might break with the weight of this slush.  The pines, magnolias and other trees are weighted down too.  Supposed to stay cold a little while longer - highs today low to mid thirties. Tomorrow highs in the mid to upper 30s.

This stuff might hang around another day or so.
So I'm off to quilt some and piddle (my usual snow day activities).  Be safe!

Turtle Dove Nest

This nest is in a pin oak tree near the beehives and on a low branch (maybe 8 ft or so).  It looks like a mourning dove or turtle dove (Zenaida macroura) nest.  They really build a sloppy nest but it always seems to hold together.  Sometimes you can see through it from the bottom. The construction of the nest takes about 10 hours total, with the doves working together over the course of 2–4 days. The male brings twigs, grass stems and pine needles to the female, who then weaves them into a nest about 8 inches across. The transaction is a bit unusual because the male stands on the female's back while transferring the material from his beak to hers. They might abandon this nest and start over - this nest looks like a work in progress. 

It's still cold as bejesus today - a very chilly 9 degrees this morning.  But in all this cold, I'm getting eggs - hard to believe. Staying inside and doing important stuff (Pinterest, blogs, piddling, the usual).

mourning dove's (Zenaida macroura

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_8477240_nesting-habits-doves.html

mourning dove's (Zenaida macroura

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_8477240_nesting-habits-doves.html

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_8477240_nesting-habits-doves.html

10 hours total, with the doves working together over the course of 2–4 days. The male brings twigs, grass stems and pine needles to the female,

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_8477240_nesting-habits-doves.html

The construction of the nest takes about 10 hours total, with the doves working together over the course of 2–4 days. The male brings twigs, grass stems and pine needles to the female, who then weaves them into a nest about 8 inches across. The transaction is a bit unusual because the male stands on the female's back while transferring the material from his beak to hers.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_8477240_nesting-habits-doves.html

he construction of the nest takes about 10 hours total, with the doves working together over the course of 2–4 days. The male brings twigs, grass stems and pine needles to the female, who then weaves them into a nest about 8 inches across. The transaction is a bit unusual because the male stands on the female's back while transferring the material from his beak to hers.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_8477240_nesting-habits-doves.html

Chickens and Bees and Sleet

Another day in the coop for the girls - they don't do well in the sleet and snow and they can stay inside and be nice and warm.  I gave them some cracked corn this morning which is always a special treat.

The bees are nice and snug in their hive.

 

Egg-citing!

My first brown egg this year! 
No details here but I only have one of the triplets and four old hens.  She has not laid in months and months so it was egg-citing to get an egg yesterday.  And the fact that it's so doggone cold right now.  Low 20's this morning and even colder this coming week.  Yoweee!
I bought some regular eggs and let me tell you they are not good.  Just can't eat those things.  So next I bought some organic eggs which are better but pretty pricey.  So I need a couple more hens and I'll be back in business.  Just need to wait a couple of weeks for warmer weather.  I like to get teenagers (pullets) rather than baby chicks.  Baby chicks are cute but two cats and a dog that would just gobble them up - well, that's too exciting for our house.  

Busy Bees

Nuc #2

The bees are busy!  Yesterday was just gorgeous, warm temps, the trees are budding out, bluebirds getting ready to nest in the garden - just a beautiful day.  Unfortunately I was working but that's the way it goes some days. Today will be warm again but a little rain this afternoon - still, all in all, nothing to complain about.
This is Nuc #2 - they are taking the sugar water and "busy as bees".  I may have to replace the brood box.  Might not be able to see but the box is splitting on the corners.  A little duct tape will do for now.  Will definitely need help changing all that. Hope I can do a split on that hive. The other two hives are busy too. 
I have a waiting list for honey already.  Since I didn't take honey last summer, there's none to be had.  A matter of taste but some folks think my honey is the best.  Thank you and I think so too!