Bitless And Blinkerless

I do appreciate when bloggers share tips on items they like. And so, here is one thing that I find highly enjoyable. Namely, YouTube videos by British driving horse trainer, Barry Hook. He owns Horse Drawn Promotions in Hampshire, U.K. Most of his videos are driver views and you can certainly imagine yourself perched up in the driver's seat and enjoying England's countryside as his trainees clip-clop along.

His latest video is of him training a pair of Shetland pony mares. Because the near (left side) mare has teeth problems, the team is being driven without bits. As Barry says, one must have the confidence of your horse for it to obey your voice tones. Normally, he uses soft rubber bits of his own design rather than metal ones.

Barry trains all types of horses and in assorted hitch configurations.  His motto is, "the horses must be safe, confident and happy in their work". (Ideal for humans as well.)

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Last winter was bitterly cold with no period of thaw until spring. One of my hives perished. So this year I'm adding more insulation. By mid-October, the bees in my most populated hive applied self-help to reduce their drafty top entrance. They had heartily gopped on propolis to reduce the opening.

 The honey bees tried to reduce their drafty top entrance with propolis.

To control drafts but still provide ventilation, I added a wee vestibule.

This reducer will also hold a wrapping clear of the bottom entrance.

In previous years I insulated the vent box under the roof with wood shavings. This year, as well as the shavings, I've also adding fiberglass insulation. In fact, I'm even wrapping the entire hive bodies with pink fiberglass insulation.

In each vent box, I've placed a wood shavings-stuffed pillow ...

... and placed pink fiberglass insulation over the pillow.

Perhaps overkill, I'm wrapping each hive with fiberglass insulation.

 
Before I could finish the job and wrap a final layer of tarp over the hives, the weather here turned inclement. I made a note on next year's calendar to complete this chore no later than mid-October! On a more positive note, I've already changed my car tires to winter ones. Oh, and the bird bath has it's winter de-icer element installed.

A jay enjoying a drink of tepid water on a frosty morning.

October Buzz

Although it's quickly melting, we had our first snowfall overnight.

I have not yet completed all of my winterizing chores but at least my honey bee hives are wrapped. Most of the drones have been given their pink slips and expelled by their worker sisters. This year I left the screened bottom boards on instead of switching to solid ones. I did insulate under the screens and closed in the front entrance with a little porch support to keep snow off the landing board. But most importantly, to improve colony chances for winter survival, I treated for varroa mites in July instead of leaving it to later. 

The hive on the right is taller than the one on the left not because it's stronger, but because I was too tardy in removing a box of extracted frames I had given them to lick clean. The bees had partially refilled them with fresh nectar so I simply let them have it.

Swaddled in bubble wrap, my hives are ready for the cold ahead.

An expelled drone honey bee looks in vain to be taken back into the hive. 

On this dreary day, the workers are all inside chatting amongst themselves.

My two resident flocks of wild turkeys have now combined. Owing to the presence of coyotes, it seems a wise move to have more pairs of eyes on the lookout.

My two flocks of wild turkey have now combined.

This American Goldfinch has partly changed into winter plumage.

Having emptied the open feeders this bluejay raids a caged station.

As daylight shortened, I became a bit obsessed with a dark corner in my living room. It begged for a lamp!  After weeks of deliberating possible choices I finally settled on a table lamp from Canadian Tire. This style is called "Vintage Industrial". I think it goes rather well in the space and casts a lovely warm glow.

Cat friend, Ellie Mae, seems indifferent to my choice of new lamp.

Is that a Nike logo on your right paw, Ellie Mae?