Bummer of a Birthmark Pal!

This is what the deer will be thinking at the end of November.  Do you remember Gary Larson's "The Far Side" comic of the buck with the target printed on his side?  They are still a little too interested in the sunflowers.  The commercial deer repellent isn't working very well, so I constructed a little visual barrier using some spare T-Posts and twine.  I was told that a stair stepped wire fence will discourage deer from jumping the fence for fear of getting tangled.  Ramona and I have decided that we will have to construct a proper fence to defeat the deer and other wildlife (such as Peter Rabbit).  There are many T posts on the property that we can scavenge, we would just need to buy some corner posts and fencing material.  This would be a good job for Carlton and me.  I really don't want to put up any fences.  I like looking to the south and seeing nothing but green stuff all the way to the neighbors fence.  Oh well.

Good Neighbors:)

I had just started mowing the lawn when my neighbor to the north dropped by and offered to till my garden spot for me.  I don't intend to plant anything else this year (unless it is ground cover) but I was going to mow the weeds down anyway.  Because I want the green mulch I was very happy for him to till it under.  My neighbors to the south gave me their horse manure for the gardens and also loaned me their disc harrow.  I have already spent several hours at the fence conversing with them.  We also met some folks that live farther north and south of us (1 mile each way).  All appear to be very nice people!  Good neighbors are great to have!  We plan to return the favors.

New comb being constructed in the 9th frame.

Hive checks

Capped brood with pollen (yellow color) and capped honey along the top edge.

I opened all of the hives and removed the remaining sugar water.  It is time for them to get nectar from the field, and they are, in fact, all over the yellow clover I planted last fall.  The new hives, Dick and Harry, are loaded (6 frames worth) with brood and honey.  It doesn't look like last year's colony, Tom, is expanding into the upper brood box yet, but I am not very concerned at this time.  I think a week or two on the clover will help.  I've just about decided that I would like to plant white and yellow sweet clover and alfalfa in the seven acre field.  These plants are perennials and should produce faithfully for a few years at least.  I think we'll put some early blooming stuff on the three acre field.  The great thing about having the clovers and alfalfa on the seven acre field is what they contribute to the soil.  I've read that some farmers are now using clovers to fertilize their fields in lieu of chemicals.  

Here is a short video of my inspection of the second colony (Dick).