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| Between 3:30 and 4:30 in the afternoon, the hive babies are born. Here in this picture you can see the babies taking their maiden flight. The will swirl up in a circle to about twenty feet up in the air, and get a good sight as to where they live while doing so they strengthen their wings. Once their GPS system has locked down as to where they live they will then take off and get straight to work. Look at them gals (yes gals) glisten in the sun! So whats new on the farm? A definite settling in with our sweet little gal. Its taken some time, but things are starting to get a groove- at least while we are home. Sleeping, eating, comforting, and catching every smile and coo that our girl lets out. She is sleeping so much better on her own, and is doing well with her eating. She has a little tummy trouble now and then, but hey- we all do:) This past weekend was a big weekend out for her (and even more so us) as we ventured out as a family.....to walmart. Hey we are American! It was a shock to our system to walk- with a stroller? Of course it took us about four hours (no lie) to prepare for the trip to Walmart. And trying to time everything just right so that she will sleep while we shop (more like walk around aimlessly like two goofballs trying to remember just exactly what we really "needed.") was a bit difficult. But- we made it. For the most part. Till it was time to leave. You see when our girl wakes up- she is hungry. And when she is hungry- there ain't no waiting to feed her! She will let you know she is hungry---and now!!!! All in all it was good to get out as a family ( a learning process too) Our daughter impresses us:) <3 The chickens, are doing the same. The eggs failed under the broody hen. Only two developed only to "mysteriously" disappear the following morning:( and the rest actually never developed. So we are doing round two and so far so good. The broody blonde has only sat on the one box with fertilized eggs, and is rotating then nicely. This time when the eggs are hatched I will move her to a separate cage as to not let the piranhas attack or disrupt the chicks. There is a possibility to them free range completely around the yard to so they learn to hide from danger under Momma's instruction. Ash, is here and present but not doing completely well. He is looking a little slim, but still coming nightly to eat and get his fill. His wound had healed nicely, but unfortunately has developed a cyst next to where the abrasion was. This is making him limp. Its heartbreaking but we are not quite sure what to do.....Let it burst? Treat with another animal antibiotic? We are waiting to get a good sight of him this week to really decide. Till then I continue to pray for him....Yes we pray for our animals:) The bee's. Oh the bees. Happ'n'ed to look out the window just in time to see our main hive swarming. guh. Went out there and sure enough the bees where poring from the hive and it sounded like a steam engine was racing thru the yard. I couldn't quite see where they were in the trees but it got quite within a half hours time. David went into the hive later that night for me (I still cannot lift things) and there was good news to be had. A virgin queen had been born and the bees were tending to her! (May I name her Elizabeth? ....anyone? anyone? ) Still more than enough bees to do work and survive the winter. I will go in on Saturday and see if she has started to lay yet- meaning this week she needs to go out and - ahem- "get busy." If she hasn't and the bee's have off'ed her head- then I will purchase of queen from a beekeeper down the street. Now that things are settling a bit- I will try to be posting more often. Thanks in advance for continuing to read and keep up with the happnins:) Much love! |
