Bug Squad

The California Buckeye (Junonia coenia), with its bold eyespots and white bars, is an easily recognizable butterfly. The problem: getting close enough for a photo and then patiently waiting for it to open its wings. At the first indication of danger, it flutters away.

In the big, beautiful butterfly world, the Fiery Skipper stands out as the most common urban butterfly in California. It may not be as showy as the Monarch, the Gulf Fritilliary and the Painted Lady, but the Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus) holds its own.

Yes, it's back. The Gulf Frit is definitely back.

The folks who devote their entire lives to honey bees--how do they begin?

The times, they change. Standard textbook knowledge, that can change, too. It did today.