Butterflies in the Garden
Many native butterflies visit our mostly native garden. Some are so small that you might not even notice them unless you remain still for...
Releasing monarchs
Whenever we release monarchs from their "nursery" mesh cages, it's such a joyful event. Sometimes they immediately fly out of their cage,...
Naked buckwheat and a honey bee
The naked buckwheat Eriogonum nudum has tall, bare, leafless stems, topped with rounded clusters of white and pale pink flowers. The...
More monarchs
We are still releasing monarchs as they eclose / emerge and are ready for their adventures outdoors. Each one reacts a little differently...
Bees love the California Delta Sunflower
We planted California Delta Sunflowers again this year, but for some reason they aren't thriving as well as the ones we planted last...
California natives still blooming
This lovely plant, Woolly Blue Curls Trichostema lanatum was planted a month ago as a seedling in our mostly native garden area. It is...
Yellow-face Bumble Bee
Now that the oregano plant is blooming, the bees have another food source. Here is a yellow-face bumble bee foraging for nectar and...
Leaf cutter bees and, hey, isn't that a monarch?
The leaf cutter bees are back and I'm seeing them on many flowers in the garden. Here are two leaf cutter bees, one about to land on the...
The mostly native garden in August
As we all know, gardens don't necessarily look their best in the month of August, when most plants are no longer producing blossoms, and...
Other creatures in the garden
We do need to also acknowledge the other insects in the garden. They may not be as attractive or appealing as bees, butterflies and...
