![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_e32d0ba77cbe4a9caddcc3bbfde288c1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1eb7ff_e32d0ba77cbe4a9caddcc3bbfde288c1~mv2.webp)
![Bees in the Cupcake White Cosmos](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_e32d0ba77cbe4a9caddcc3bbfde288c1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_312,h_234,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1eb7ff_e32d0ba77cbe4a9caddcc3bbfde288c1~mv2.webp)
Bees in the Cupcake White Cosmos
The Cosmos Cupcake White blossoms are a great attraction for bees. Not only are these very lovely blossoms, but they also provide nectar...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_6cd37315559c4cc19577eb519bc61877~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1eb7ff_6cd37315559c4cc19577eb519bc61877~mv2.webp)
![Butterflies in the Garden](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_6cd37315559c4cc19577eb519bc61877~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_312,h_234,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1eb7ff_6cd37315559c4cc19577eb519bc61877~mv2.webp)
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...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_8e3340f0b0d9428ca95c0e1be44226ce~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1eb7ff_8e3340f0b0d9428ca95c0e1be44226ce~mv2.webp)
![Releasing monarchs](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_8e3340f0b0d9428ca95c0e1be44226ce~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_312,h_234,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1eb7ff_8e3340f0b0d9428ca95c0e1be44226ce~mv2.webp)
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,...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_06e42da7568e4095a05b7a110fc8fb95~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1eb7ff_06e42da7568e4095a05b7a110fc8fb95~mv2.webp)
![Naked buckwheat and a honey bee](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_06e42da7568e4095a05b7a110fc8fb95~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_312,h_234,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1eb7ff_06e42da7568e4095a05b7a110fc8fb95~mv2.webp)
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...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_d051b0c2171741bfad04a1c712ae7128~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1eb7ff_d051b0c2171741bfad04a1c712ae7128~mv2.webp)
![More monarchs](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_d051b0c2171741bfad04a1c712ae7128~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_312,h_234,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1eb7ff_d051b0c2171741bfad04a1c712ae7128~mv2.webp)
More monarchs
We are still releasing monarchs as they eclose / emerge and are ready for their adventures outdoors. Each one reacts a little differently...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_daac307456a745a9945b2dc698859fce~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1eb7ff_daac307456a745a9945b2dc698859fce~mv2.webp)
![Bees love the California Delta Sunflower](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_daac307456a745a9945b2dc698859fce~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_312,h_234,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1eb7ff_daac307456a745a9945b2dc698859fce~mv2.webp)
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...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_1d10d40e68c443c2bc4d69dddd65be5b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1eb7ff_1d10d40e68c443c2bc4d69dddd65be5b~mv2.webp)
![Yellow-face Bumble Bee](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_1d10d40e68c443c2bc4d69dddd65be5b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_312,h_234,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1eb7ff_1d10d40e68c443c2bc4d69dddd65be5b~mv2.webp)
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...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_3530640e659b422caeb1432d4509abaa~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1eb7ff_3530640e659b422caeb1432d4509abaa~mv2.webp)
![Leaf cutter bees and, hey, isn't that a monarch?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_3530640e659b422caeb1432d4509abaa~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_312,h_234,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1eb7ff_3530640e659b422caeb1432d4509abaa~mv2.webp)
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...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_fd28b53482b64f19b8bdc5c5933663c7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1eb7ff_fd28b53482b64f19b8bdc5c5933663c7~mv2.webp)
![Other creatures in the garden](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_fd28b53482b64f19b8bdc5c5933663c7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_312,h_234,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1eb7ff_fd28b53482b64f19b8bdc5c5933663c7~mv2.webp)
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...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_53bf338cc46b4d45aedc61f21651f52e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/1eb7ff_53bf338cc46b4d45aedc61f21651f52e~mv2.webp)
![Weekend monarch activity](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1eb7ff_53bf338cc46b4d45aedc61f21651f52e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_312,h_234,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/1eb7ff_53bf338cc46b4d45aedc61f21651f52e~mv2.webp)
Weekend monarch activity
This weekend we released four more monarch butterflies after they eclosed. Three were male, one female. The female, shown above on a...