Posts Tagged: salvia

How a 'Bear' Can Outsmart a Fox

There's a way for a bear to outsmart a fox. A teddy bear bee, that is.  We just witnessed a male Valley carpenter bee,...

A male valley carpenter bee, Xylocopa sonorina, engaging in nectar robbing; he's sipping nectar through a hole in the base of a foxglove blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A male valley carpenter bee, Xylocopa sonorina, engaging in nectar robbing; he's sipping nectar through a hole in the base of a foxglove blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Ah, sweet nectar. This male Valley carpenter bee lingers a bit to sip the sweet reward. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Ah, sweet nectar. This male Valley carpenter bee lingers a bit to sip the sweet reward. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Close-up of male Valley carpenter bee, "the teddy bear beer," engaged in nectar robbing. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Close-up of male Valley carpenter bee, "the teddy bear beer," engaged in nectar robbing. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Find the Praying Mantis! (Hint, She's Big!)

Find the praying mantis. That's not too difficult, considering this Stagmomantis limbata is gravid (pregnant) and about ready to deposit her ootheca...

Find the praying mantis! This is a female gravid Stagmomantis limbata. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Find the praying mantis! This is a female gravid Stagmomantis limbata. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

In this 2018 image, a praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata, deposits her egg case in a Vacaville pollinator garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

In this 2018 image, a praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata, deposits her egg case in a Vacaville pollinator garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

UC Davis Plant Sale May 20-24: Just Add Pollinators

If you want to draw pollinators to your yard, think of the plants for sale at the teaching nursery maintained by the UC Davis Arboretum and...

A honey bee foraging on Salvia "Hot Lips." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A honey bee foraging on Salvia "Hot Lips." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A honey bee, proboscis (tongue) extended, takes a liking to the Salvia "Hot Lips." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A honey bee, proboscis (tongue) extended, takes a liking to the Salvia "Hot Lips." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The honey bee checks out the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The honey bee checks out the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Flight time! The honey bee prepares to leave Salvia "Hot Lips." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Flight time! The honey bee prepares to leave Salvia "Hot Lips." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Nursery manager Taylor Lewis of the Arboretum Teaching Nursery, UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, tends to plants in the nursery. An online public sale is set May 20-24. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Nursery manager Taylor Lewis of the Arboretum Teaching Nursery, UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, tends to plants in the nursery. An online public sale is set May 20-24. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

These carts will be in use with the UC Davis Arboretum's online plant sales take place May 20-24. Delivery is curbside.(Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

These carts will be in use with the UC Davis Arboretum's online plant sales take place May 20-24. Delivery is curbside.(Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Beauty of the Bee

Have you ever pulled up a chair in your garden and watched honey bees foraging? They are so intent on their "bees-ness" that they don't know you're...

A honey bee nectaring on African blue basil in Vacaville, Calif. At right is Salvia microphylla "Hot Lips." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A honey bee nectaring on African blue basil in Vacaville, Calif. At right is Salvia microphylla "Hot Lips." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The honey bee, its tongue or proboscis still extended, departs from the African blue basil. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The honey bee, its tongue or proboscis still extended, departs from the African blue basil. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The honey bee pulls its proboscis back in and is leaving the African blue basil. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The honey bee pulls its proboscis back in and is leaving the African blue basil. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Frozen in time--a honey bee takes flight and heads for home. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Frozen in time--a honey bee takes flight and heads for home. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Salivating Over Salvia? Premiere Plant Sale at UC Davis Arboretum on Saturday, April 6

Salivating over salvia? You can see, salivate--and purchase--salvias and more at the spring premiere plant sale sponsored by the UC Davis Arboretum...

A yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, nectars on a spiked floral purple plant, Salvia indigo spires (Salvia farinacea x S. farinacea) at the Kate Frey Pollinator Garden at the Sonoma Cornerstone. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, nectars on a spiked floral purple plant, Salvia indigo spires (Salvia farinacea x S. farinacea) at the Kate Frey Pollinator Garden at the Sonoma Cornerstone. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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