Bug Squad

Everybody loves bugs, right? Well, no, they don't. Some folks scream, smash them, or sprint away from them. Other folks--including yours truly--sprint toward them, not unlike firefighters racing into a burning building while everyone else is dashing out. So it's gratifying to see that Feedspot.

Today, June 14, is Flag Day, a time when we celebrate and commemorate our American flag. Our Continental Congress adopted the "Stars and Stripes" as our nation's flag on June 14, 1777.

It all came down to a question about a Dutch scientist, a microscopist from the 17th century.

Are you ready for National Pollinator Week, June 18-June 24? A spectacular pollinator garden that's a "must-see" is Kate Frey's pollinator garden at Sonoma Cornerstone.

Meet the competitors. In this corner, meet Mr. Teddy Bear. He's a blond, green-eyed carpenter bee, Xylocopa varipuncta, a native, and one of three species of carpenter bees commonly found from northern to southern California to western New Mexico. In the other corner, meet Mr. Bodyslam.