landtracdeerhunter

Seen a lone hen this morning in a typical nesting area. She saw me and went into a hedge row.

Got a chance to get out for an extended shed hunt this morning, now that the maple syrup season is over. I really enjoyed the time out there. Found shed #2 on a north sloping ditch bank. Last years shed, but we'll take it, LOL. Stuck in the mud and only showing the tips from out of the leaves that covered most of it. My camera refuses to take daylight shots, otherwise would have posted the spot.

Easter dinner yesterday, buttermilk pancakes this morning with farm fresh maple syrup right out of the boiler with left over bacon that wasn't used in the sap, and another Easter dinner with ham and all the trimmings today. Unbuckle the belt one hole.

What a nice piece of gold! Waiting for more snow to go off and hoping more sheds lye under the left over snow pack.

Muck Woody Sport. Purchased at L.L. Bean. Hoping on never buying another pair, LOL.

Happy Birthday!

Forth straight boil down day today. If we're lucky, I'll be done tonight till the next flow. Hopefully we have another after tonight's freeze. This years syrup is some of the best tasting ever!

You know, the turkeys look a lot better than I thought they would.

Might help ya to pick up a candy thermometer. Drop it down outside like WNY said, then bring it on a controlled cooktop. The reduced sap will boiling quite a while around 210 F . When it starts to foam up brown, ( I call this brown boil) it's getting closer. It will sit at 215 F for a while then go up rapidly to 219 F or higher quick. Target temp for syrup is 219F. No higher. Reduce the heat when she starts to brown boil, or it will foam all over the stove. I'm surely no expert, by any means, but this has been working for me. Happy Syrup Making!

Evaporators steaming away right now. Figure on having another sleepless night. About 162 gallons behind right now.

The things one sees while holding the wrong gun, LOL.

Eddie, that didn't come out quite right! LOL.

A lot of people live in this climate because of the four seasons. I only experience two, Winter and Summer, LOL.

Hens at the bird feeder, a few weeks ago. The usual at the home establishment, nothing till mid April ; but the other plantation has a nice group of birds on the wheat. They winter in the hemlocks.

We still do, LOL! I like taking a natural raw product, adding labor, turning into a useful natural product that's so tasty sweet. Some great flavor this season but with a lower sugar content. Taking more sap to make a gallon of syrup.

I Don't Like This! Think it's completely uncalled for! Did you donate anything?

When I was working 8 cams a field, I had a failure rate better than 20% / year. Just expected on purchasing 2 new cams a year, to replaced failed ones. Business inclined though.

Not any more! LOL

Great way to learn. I started back in the mid 70"s with a family friend that managed 100+ swarm. He taught me things most books don't touch. I only wish I knew half the knowledge he did, and was lost when he passed. This is my 43rd year, on a small scale and I still enjoy the time in the middle of bee haven. Good luck and "bee safe."

Don't forget the snowshoes Eddie. Their's still 16 inches of snow on the level here, with a crust just enough to almost support body weight; then break through to ones knees.

At least wear a veil with a safari hat. I don't like them in my face when they get nasty. They sure can tell you if a thunder shower is coming, LOL. Betterbee in Greewich, New York are some great bee equipment suppliers. Nosema disease takes it toll when bee have NFW in the winter. Last winter was bad enough.This winter was far worse.

What a nice way to kick into Spring. During a thaw makes it all the nicer!

Don't change a scoring system that has worked for 3 seasons. It's simple and effective!

Looking at all these deer heads on the wall, it's all about the ones that were " almost" that stick in my mind the most. I wouldn't even know where to begin, LOL.

The permit is for the transportation of bees and bee keeping equipment off your property. New York Agriculture and Markets require an address so an inspector may check for disease.