Queen Follies

I have a hive that's been wanting to swarm for 2 weeks. Silly me, I waited just a wee bit too long to add another box. That'll teach me to wait when they still have undeveloped real estate :-/

There were more queen cells today - some open, some capped. On one frame, I saw a large crowd in the drone sector. I nudged the bees away, and found a cleverly disguised queen cell. It was angled sideways along the bottom. I dug it out, and saw an adult-looking rear end sticking out of the cell. I opened the top then, and out popped the young queen. I nabbed her and set her aside.

I really don't need to start another nuc, but hate to waste a potentially good queen. So I called Julia, who directed me to Chris. Yes, Chris was interested, so I planned to run up to Westhaven as soon as I was done with the inspection.

Down in the bottom box, I found a similar crowd, so I nudged the bees away just like before. The crowd moved, but I saw that there was a queen with them. She didn't look too good. I may have nudged her just wrong; I don't know. She was also scrawny, unlike the one I midwifed. I suspect that she's Sofia, my bought queen, though I saw not even a remanent of paint. Slimmed down for swarming, perhaps? I caged her, just in case she was another daughter whom I missed, and also to keep her under observation. If she really is Sofia, and pulls through, I'm hoping that keeping her confined will help suppress the swarming urge. I guess we'll see.

After I got home, I caged the queen that I midwifed. She's a lively one. The way she popped out of her cell reminded me of a certain Greek goddess springing from Zeus' head. I think this queen has a name already. Athena also seems a very appropriate name for a daughter of Sophia ("wisdom").

So now I have to go back on my queen offer, though hopefully for only a few days. Sorry, Chris.

Fun With the Jays

I've been feeding peanuts to the crows and jays lately. This has led to a family or two of Steller's jays hanging out in the garden most of the day. They go after peanuts, grab suet as they can and scold the cats. It's quite raucous & jolly. Today we set some peanuts on the gate outside the breakfast room, and watched the jays come get them.

Loch Morgan Treasure Hunt

This year is the tenth anniversary of the Loch Morgan camp out. It is a men only event, but this year the women were invited to the treasure hunt. Kristin, Pia, Mary, Monique, Holly and I rendezvous'd at the boat ramp at eleven. The men distributed us among the boats, and took us across the lagoon to the camp.



I brought an eyeliner crayon so we women could disguise ourselves with moustachios. Mary wanted to be the queen of the day, so opted out of a disguise. Brian redubbed us with men's names, and we carried on in manly ways.



On arrival we raised the Colors, had our rum ration and then lunch. Then the treasure hunt started with a taunting letter and a cryptic clue from our ever-absent captain William Morgan. Soon we were back on the water, chasing clues and ultimately the treasure. We had a grand time, despite the fickle wind.



Back at camp we struck the Colors, then relaxed around the fire and ate dinner. All too soon, Holly, Kristin and I were to be ferried back across the lagoon to our cars. Pia, Monique and Mary stayed overnight, and were probably unmercifully put to work breaking camp the next morning.

In the comments for the photos linked below, you can access more details of the day.

July Bloom Day

The rhodies and azaleas are done blooming now, replaced by lavender, gladiolus and fuchsias. Lots of other flowers continue to bloom, like the California poppies. Others are just starting up, like the hydrangeas.



I'm getting quite the collection of lavenders. They range in color from deep purple to pink and white. There's plenty of plain old English lavender for me to harvest yet leave other flowers for viewing and the bees.



Ever since visiting Fickle Hill Old Rose Nursery, I've been thinking about where I can stick in more roses. I still have several hybrid teas in pots that Karin acquired nearly 20 years ago. They've been very patient, and need to go in first. But I'm finding that I like the more unruly climbers and China roses better.

I'm also looking at spots that really need plants. This awareness was partly spurred by wanting to take photos of the garden, but noticing unlovely fences and walls in the view. Some roses and clematis are planned. A Japanese maple will help screen a boring garage wall.

Rendezvous at Rowdy Creek

Laura, Tony, Pia & John

Rendezvous is a weeklong blackpowder event, focusing primarily on the mountain man era of European colonization of North America. There are a few Colonials, like us, but there are far more buckskin jackets than tricorns.

There are various blackpowder activities each day, including some competitions. There's a straightforward open-air target shoot and a course through the woods with targets. There's also tomahawk throwing and who knows what else. Participants look best when in period costume, but it isn't required.

Near the road is a modern camp, where nylon tents and RVs are allowed. Merchants' Row is also out in the realm of the modern. Further into the woods is the Primitive Camp, where everything showing is period. By true mountain man standards, most of the camps are anything but primitive. For one thing, just about everyone had a tent rather than just a piece of oilcloth to wrap in at night. I'd guess that most camps, with tables and chairs, and even wood stoves and beds more resembled a settler's camp. But they looked great.



I went daytripping yesterday with John and Pia. We later met with Tony and his gaggle of young-uns & friends, and later with Mary & Doug. Rendezvous was relaxing. For us it was primarily a costumed swap meet, cruising through Merchants' Row 2 or 3 times. There were lots of blackpowder rifles & supplies, knives, leather and trade beads to be had. I picked up some more gear for my own camp: a ceramic jug, a leather bottle/canteen, a firkin ( sort of barrel) and some feast gear.

We had a picnic at George & Marilyn's camp - an older couple whom John & Pia befriended in '07. Very nice people, and the only Colonials in camp. They had new hammock-cots which they showed off to us. Members of the Siren crew will probably be making some of these before long.

We said hello to a 3-generation family whom John and Pia had met when they camped in 2007. This family had a very impressive camp. The two moms keep the family fed like kings, complete with cinnamon rolls at breakfast and pie at supper. They even had a bunk bed for the kids. If ever they lose their home, they'll probably make do quite well in a tent.



I wasn't in photography mode, so failed to document most of the attractions. Sorry. However, John & Pia's photos from 2007 can be seen here.

I think I'll go camping at Rendezvous next year. Relaxed costume camping. Maybe even painting, or at least arty photo-taking.