Posts Tagged: germander

How Are These Two Alike?

What does a bee have in common with a bulldog? If you've ever been to Cornerstone Sonoma on Arnold Drive (Highway 121) in Sonoma, and admired the luxurious gardens and intriguing shops, you know. The bees go head-first in the blossoms and Axel, an...

A honey bee gathering nectar from a bush germander at CornerStone Sonoma. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A honey bee gathering nectar from a bush germander at CornerStone Sonoma. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

There's only one thing on Axel's bucket list: a bucket. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

There's only one thing on Axel's bucket list: a bucket. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Axel, his tongue out, prepares to grip his bucket. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Axel, his tongue out, prepares to grip his bucket. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

This Is Definitely a Magnet for Bees and Flower Flies

The bush germander (Teucrium fruticans) is definitely a great fall-winter plant that's a magnet for bees. Just look at the bees that frequent the germander in the Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven on Bee Biology Road at UC Davis. As...

Honey bee foraging in bush germander. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Honey bee foraging in bush germander. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Syrphid fly, aka flower fly or hover fly, visiting germander. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Syrphid fly, aka flower fly or hover fly, visiting germander. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Thank Goodness for Germanders

Those of us addicted to photographing honey bees hate it when the cold, rainy California weather settles in. December and January are the worst for capturing images of bees outside their hives. However, if you plant a pollinator garden with seasonal...

Honey bee working the germander. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Honey bee working the germander. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Honey bee extending her tongue (proboscis). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Honey bee extending her tongue (proboscis). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Honey bee, the acrobat. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Honey bee, the acrobat. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Upside down honey bee in the germander. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Upside down honey bee in the germander. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Just Waiting in the Germander

It's no secret that bees are fond of germanders or Teucrium, a genus in the mint family, Lamiaceae. And it's no secret that praying mantids are fond of bees. Although it's a little late in the season for praying mantids, we spotted this one hiding in a...

Pregnant praying mantis camouflaged on a germander twig. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Pregnant praying mantis camouflaged on a germander twig. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Honey bee nectaring on germander. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Honey bee nectaring on germander. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Mellow Yellow: The Butterflies Are Back!

Mellow yellow! The butterflies are back! We spotted a bright yellow butterfly nectaring a bush germander on Feb. 7 in the Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, University of California, Davis. So...

Orange Sulphur Butterfly

A MALE orange sulphur butterfly (Colias eurythme) nectars a bush germander on Feb. 7 at the Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, UC Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Sharing Air Space

YELLOW AIRCRAFT and a yellow butterfly shared air space off Bee Biology Road on Feb. 7. This plane was practicing its takeoffs and landings at the University Airport. An apparent show of mimicry? (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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