New Algonquin Park Artistic cartography piece now available.

This is a new version of a popular original that I did some time ago however with the addition of my new Epson Stylus Pro 7900 giclee printer, I can now offer prints and prints/originals with a twist. Limited edition prints will be available along with the original of course and I will also be offering giclee prints with original watercolour additions to match your favourite canoe. Colours and canoe insignia can be included. 

The original is done in graphite and Staedtler Marker on a topographical map of Algonquin Park. If the original is still available in August, it will be framed and exhibited in my "Tranquility" show to be held at the Algonquin Park's Visitor Centre between August 26th and September 28. Several "watercoloured giclees" will be available throughout the show as well.
So if you have canoed through Algonquin Park and and would like to "see" your canoe in this image, email with the particulars and we can see what we can do.

Week 3 of beekeeping - dealing with comb in the wrong location.

Checked the bees on the weekend to see if they were building comb on the frames in the brood chamber and not on the feeder. The last time it was the Blue Hive that was building o the feeder. This time it was the purple hive. Unfortunately, I lost about two weeks of build time. When I lifted off the feeder to the Purple Hive there was a lot of comb attached to it and the Queen was crawling around on it and not in the Brood Chamber where she was suppose to be. It took a little bit of effort to get her back in the Chamber.

The Queen can be seen in the lower left corner of the picture. Unfortunately, there was some larvae already in this comb.

Once all the excess comb was scrapped off the feeder onto the top of the Brood Chamber frames, I carefully checked all of the comb looking for the Queen. I couldn't find the Queen so I kept an eye on the feeder and the Queen crawled out of the bottom of the feeder slot. I decided to use my bee brush and I gently brushed the Queen onto the top of the Brood Chamber and she quickly disappeared into the main frame system.

Once I knew the Queen was back where she should have been I gently placed the excess comb back in front of the entrance so that the bees could enter the hive. You can see them starting to crawl up the landing pad to the entrance.

You can see the bees lining up to get in the entrance. I came back after a couple of hours and most of the bees had gone back in the hive and the entrance set on the wider opening.

Will check again in 3 or 4 days.

Honey Bees and Pollinators

We have decided to become new beekeepers for several reasons, the enjoyment of the hobby, they are fascinating creatures and they are declining in nature.

Pollinators are essential to our environment. The ecological service they provide is necessary for the reproduction of nearly 70 percent of the world’s flowering plants, including more than two-thirds of the world’s crop species. The United States alone grows more than one hundred crops that either need or benefit from pollinators, and the economic value of these native pollinators is estimated at $3 billion per year in the U.S. Beyond agriculture, pollinators are keystone species in most terrestrial ecosystems. Fruits and seeds derived from insect pollination are a major part of the diet of approximately 25 percent of all birds, and of mammals ranging from red-backed voles to grizzly bears. In many places, the essential service of pollination is at risk from habitat loss, pesticide use, and introduced diseases. ( ©Xerces Society )

Below are pictures of our two hives ( our initial start-up apiary ).

Red Knot Companion 2 - stage 3

Here is the next stage of the drawing - almost finished!

Cooper's Hawk it is!

I was able to get a few more photos of the Hawk and with the tail feathers in view, the female Cooper's Hawk is easily identifiable.

Red Knot Companion 2

Here are the first two stages of the second companion piece that will go with the larger beach scene.

Red Tailed Hawk nest.

I spotted this nest when we were out for a walk the other day ( actually the Hike for Hospice ) and I went back today to try and figure out who was at home. Check it out - I think it's a Red Tailed Hawk.

You can just see its beak and a bit of colour. The nest is situated quite high in a tree but fortunately beside a ravine so I am almost level with the nest - hopefully I'll be able to get some more photos before the new foliage completely hides the nest from view.