Soaking in the sun

I was out in the paddock checking on the rabbit warrens and I spied this fellow soaking in the sun.

He calmly watched me slowly approach.

The Labradors leaping all around the place, unaware what

I was watching and trying hard not to disturb, just lucky

they were more interested in each other. 

It's times like these when it is great to have a camera in my pocket,

and I just happened to have mine on me.

I haven't seen one of these lizards on our side of the farm in a long time.

They are often seen on fence posts along the driveway in the middle of the farm.

I think it is a bearded dragon but it was not puffing out its collar.

It is so dry out there, there has been no rain this year at all.

Predicted for this weekend (market weekend. Oh no)

We have been irrigating with our big sprinklers all summer but

The pasture is still suffering.

I have been out there chip hoeing the paddy melons as they come up.

I have to eliminate the Khaki weed also.

Just when I think it is all done, I wait a few days and have another walk around,

then go a get the hoe.

Its a good fitness exercise, flat tummy stuff.

I could not believe the luxury at Michaal's bee hive the other day.

I knew she had rigged up a coolgarde type arrangement to cope with those over 40 days.

The blue drum sits atop the silver one and drip feeds water to a hessian cover that sits over the hive.

It has blown over but can be seen behind the hive.

I could hardly believe the green grass under the hive.

What luxury!

You might notice there are additional ant sumps under the grass

Meat ants have proven to be a fatal pest for the bees

swooping on to any poor soul that lands on the ground.

We have noticed that occasionally one meat ant will make it into the hive but is quickly ousted by the bees.

They are well established here now, I think one box is full and they are now filling up the top box.

That means there will be a honey dividend this year!

On a hot day it smells sweet as I walk past.

Michaal's bees

Michaal is a pottery friend.

She is into growing and using herbs but doesn't have her own place yet.

 I offered our forest to get her started with her dream of keeping bees.

It's really hot here today

I went to walk the dogs and check on Michaal's bees

We planted these trees 20 years ago thinking we would sell fire wood.

It was our superannuation paddock. 

This is about 8.30 am and they are shaded for the most of the day.

The sun rising in the east which ahead and to the right of this photo.

There were a few problems in the beginning.

Local ants invaded and there was a bit of a massacre,

M put some oil tins under the legs and installed a landing runway.

This has sorted out the ants. Thank goodness.

I have noticed an increase of bee activity in my vege garden.

I have also noticed an increase of native bees which is interesting.

They may be fanning cooler air into the hive here.

I am looking forward to the honey.

I do keep my distance from the hive as I don't want to upset them.

This is proof that it is very hot today.

I worked down at the seedlings until 1pm then came up for lunch.

The thermometer is inside at our front door.

The top reading is the inside temperature.

45.4 outside.

Thank goodness for low humidity and a light cloud cover.

I keep checking the weather radar in search of rain.

We might get lucky in a few hours but I would not be surprised

if it all evaporates before it gets here.