Posts Tagged: black-faced bumble bee

Taking Possession of the Lavender

Possession is nine-tenths of the law. It also applies to bees foraging on lavender. A black-faced bumble bee (Bombus californicus) this morning stretched between two lavender stems and lingered there--probably to warm its wings for flight. Along comes...

A black-faced bumble bee, Bombus californicus, stretches between two lavender stems as a honey bee moves in to gather nectar. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A black-faced bumble bee, Bombus californicus, stretches between two lavender stems as a honey bee moves in to gather nectar. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

All mine! The black-faced bumble bee, Bombus californicus, takes control. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

All mine! The black-faced bumble bee, Bombus californicus, takes control. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Sleeping in the Lavender

It's a delight to see boy bumble bees sleeping overnight in the lavender. Two species of bumble bees--Bombus vosnesenkii and Bombus californicus--have been slumbering in our lavender for the past several weeks. Sometimes they nestle a half inchs from...

A male black-faced bumble bee, Bombus californicus, sleeps on a lavender blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A male black-faced bumble bee, Bombus californicus, sleeps on a lavender blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A sip of nectar! A black-faced bumble bee, Bombus californicus, on lavender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A sip of nectar! A black-faced bumble bee, Bombus californicus, on lavender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Tracking a Black-Faced Bumble Bee

Every once in a while you see it.And it's a real treat--especially when it's a bee garden that's synonomous with treat.We tracked the black-faced bumble bee (Bombus californicus) in the Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, a half-acre bee friendly demonstration...

Black-faced bumble bee "posing" on grey musk sage. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Black-faced bumble bee "posing" on grey musk sage. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Close-up of black-faced bumble bee nectaring on grey musk sage. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Close-up of black-faced bumble bee nectaring on grey musk sage. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Saving the Native Bees in Yolo County

Xerces Society scientists just developed a first-of-its-kind conservation strategy summarizing the threats facing native bees in the diverse landscapes of Yolo County and identifying measures to protect them.And what a great conservation--and...

Black-Faced Bumble Bee

BLACK-FACED BUMBLE BEE (Bombus californicus) gathering pollen in a California poppy. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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