Posts Tagged: benicia
Foraging Bumble Bees: Check Out the Orange Pollen
Bring on the bumble bees! In yesterday's Bug Squad blog, we mentioned the unusual...
A yellow-faced bumble bees, Bombus vosnesenskii, nectaring on rosemary at the Benicia Marina on New Year's Day, 2018. Note the orange pollen, derived from another floral species, probably California golden poppies. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, heads for another rosemary blossom at the Benicia Marina. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Peek-a-bee! The foraging bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, displays a little of its orange pollen. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Celebrating the New Year with Bumble Bees in Benicia
While folks from Alaska to Colorado to New York to Maine are shivering in freezing temperatures,...
A yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, forages on New Year's Day, 2017, on jade at the Benicia Capitol State Historic Park. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Check out the cream-colored pollen on this yellow-faced bumble bees, Bombus vosnesenskii, nectaring today (Jan. 1) on jade at the Benicia Capitol State Historic Park. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bottoms up! A yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, dips for nectar on a jade blossom in Benicia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The Flora and the Fauna at the Old State Capitol
Erected in 1852, this historic building was ostensibly intended for Benicia City Hall. Offered as...
A Western tiger swallowtail (Papilio rutulus) spreads its wings on the grounds of the Benicia State Capitol. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A Gulf Fritilliary (Agraulis vanillae) nectars on lantana on the grounds of the Benicia State Capitol. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A pomegranate tree with double-blossoms graces the grounds of the Benicia State Capitol and draws honey bees and other insects. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The Benicia City Hall building was built in 1852, and served as the state capitol from Feb. 4, 1853 to Feb. 25, 1854. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Valentine's Day: Looking for a Suitor?
On Valentine's Day, it's inaccurate to say that "everything is coming up roses." Not...
A jumping spider sunning itself. Another jumping spider is below. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Stare-down. A jumping spider stares at the camera while another jumper spider (blur) moves below. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Going Native
Honey bees aren't the only bees out foraging. We saw our first native bee of the season on Jan. 25...
Female sweat bee, Halictus rubicundus, foraging Jan. 25 at the Benicia Capitol State Park. Note the tiny wasp, which appears to be a bethylid.(Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The head of the sweat bee,Halictus rubicundus. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The female sweat bee, Halictus rubicundus, prepars for take-off. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)