The Philosophy of Bees

Just when I thought I was soo cool and knew all about the little visitors in my garden, this little green bee popped up and turned me into a gaping novice.  Oh.  My.  Stars!  A Metallic Green Sweat Bee!  In my garden!  Frantic snapping of photos insued, hence the blurry photo below.  Note also the white insect egg cases in the flower pom-pom in the background of the photo above.

Can you believe the color combo that Nature so effortlessly arranged?!  The pink Eriogonum and green Agapostemon was a good call.  It brings up the old philosophical question, "If a Green Sweat Bee lands on an Eriogonum and no one is around to take a photo, is the bee totally awesome?"

Mystery Mud-Dauber

And who might you be?  I've seen this one flying around a few times and the orange body combined with the thread waist is just lovely!  I guess it's some kind of mud dauber?  Whatever it is, it really enjoys hanging around the Eriogonum giganteum 'St. Catherine's Lace' and doesn't like its photo taken! 

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

Here's something you never want to hear:  "What is a (expletive)ing scorpion doing in our bedroom?!"  I thought he was kidding until he started repeating his sentence about five more times.  Sure enough, this little lady found her way onto the floor of our room.  I'm all for gardening to attract wildlife, but this is going too far! 

After a google attempt or two (and after securing her under a glass which was then taped to a coaster), we discovered that there indeed are scorpions native to the California coast, Uroctonous mordax mordax.  Not totally sure, but I think it's a female and it might even be pregnant!  (or gravid, which is apparently the correct term for scorpions who are expecting).  And yes, the thought of baby scorpions living amongst the pile of clothes on my floor does completely freak me out.  The first questions is, "Where did it come from?"  Do scorpions just hang out all over the place and we just don't notice them?

I'm still driving off the creepy crawlies and checking the insides of my shoes before putting them on.  The event reminds me of Lisa's adventure with a Black Widow Spider scare.  I ended up deciding to take the scorpion on a car ride to Tilden Park and releasing her at the base of a multi-trunked Redwood tree, which is apparently their native habitat.  I drove quite the circular route, too so I don't think she'll find her way back.  At least I sincerely hope not.

And yes, I totally realize I'm being a native gardening hypocrite by literally driving away selected wildlife.  If it means I won't find a scorpion between my sheets, I'm okay with that.

Regardless, despite looking like the scariest creature EVER(!!!), their venom is similar to a bee sting. But if her or her friends decide to make my bedroom their new hang out spot, that glass and coaster will be ready.  Hear me, Arachnids?!

Escape Pods Spotted!

I'm not sure what kind of eggs these are clinging to a manzanita leaf, but I am pretty sure I would crush them if I knew what was in them. However, I'm perfectly contented to admire something beautiful and surprising before it becomes a pesky nuisance. The pattern they create looks so space-age!

Watch Out Boys, She'll Chew You Up!

I'm speaking, of course of ladybugs! My aunt referred me to this amazing project out of Cornell University called The Lost Ladybug Project. They're looking for help in cataloging native lady beetles (the "proper" common name) and studying the spread of exotic species. The website beams with fun information and instructions on finding and taking photos of lady beetles and sending it in.
Did you know that lady beetles were named after the Virgin Mary when a swarm miraculously arrived to devour the aphids that were destroying the crops in Europe? The farmers, so grateful for an answer to their prayers, named their new friends "Our Lady Beetles."
It seems that native species are in decline in the US, however so scientists are interested in discovering the extent of the loss and perhaps coming to a conclusion as to why. The little lady above posed for my contribution. I think she's a Hippodamia convergens. Do your part! Find some ladybugs and be a scientist for a day!