Pollinator Posts by May Chen

Its proboscis extended, a Sedgesitter, Platycheirus sp.(family Syrphidae) is getting ready to feed on a Wild Mustard flower that is yet to fully open.     Platycheirus is found in grass and herb vegetation.  Adults of many

Leaving the garden, I take a leisurely walk along Bridgeview Trail.   A Spined Soldier Bug is resting in a sunlit spot on a leaf of Bedstraw.  The Spined Soldier Bug, Podisus maculiventris (family Pentatomidae) is a common

I have a slow start, but manage to get to the Regional Parks Botanic Gardens in late morning.   While all the male catkins of Silk Tassel, Garrya elliptica have all but withered in the

I visit the Bridgeview Pollinator Garden in Oakland early this afternoon.  I have not set foot in this garden for more than 2 years, and it is sad to find the place weedy and unkempt.

On this sunny afternoon, I am exploring the north end of the Skyline Garden, from the Steam Train Entrance.   Near the cattle gate, a few more California Buttercups, Ranunculus californicus have come into bloom

A beautiful warm morning at Skyline Gardens.  The picture is taken from the paved road to the Water Tank. Who’s that tiny insect resting on a California Phacelia leaf?  Its back view does not look

I love the immature flowerheads of the Cobweb Thistle, Cirsium occidentale.  They appear to be wrapped in spider web.  What is the function of the webbing?  To deter insects?  To regulate temperature of the flowerhead?

The two big Silverleaf Lupine, Lupinus albifrons near the Eucalyptus grove just south of the Radio Tower are blooming beautifully.  A huge Yellow-faced Bumble Bee, Bombus vosnesenskii (family Apidae), undoubtedly a queen, is buzzing around the spikes of flowers,

An Argentine Ant is roaming the flower buds of a Wild Cucumber, Marah oregana. The Argentine Ant, Linepithema humile (family Formicidae) is native to Northern Argentina, but it has been inadvertently introduced by humans to many countries, and

I decide to go for an afternoon walk at the Sequoia Arena in Joaquin Miller Park in the Oakland hills.    There’s a big, healthy patch of Miner’s Lettuce, Claytonia perfoliata.  Time to look for

While photographing the Hybotid Dance Flies on the Miner’s Lettuce, I notice a movement in the clovers close to me – it’s a winged ant!  Not only that, it is female – a queen or

Andy and I amble along the fast-running creek towards the waterfall at Cascade Canyon, enjoying the lush flora and insect fauna.   Most of the Western Hound’s Tongue, Adelinia grandis are past their prime, but

Andy and I are thrilled to explore the Cascade Canyon Open Space Preserve in Marin County this warm, sunny day. Near the entrance gate, there is a large Western Mountain Mahogany, Cercocarpus betuloides (family Rosaceae)

Winds are not in the weather forecast, so I am rather surprised to be met by strong gusts as I climb the hill on the paved road at Skyline Gardens this morning.  No self-respecting insect

Before I walk through the cattle gate at the Steam Train entrance to the Skyline Gardens, I stop to watch a coyote saunter through the grassy field and disappear behind the Coyote Brushes.  Cool!  Not

Remember the Bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and hornworts) that we’ve been talking about previously?  I am walking the same stretch of Skyline Trail, and finding that the mosses have turned yellowish and stringy, while the Hornworts

The day promises to be rainless and clear.  Excited, I arrive at Inspiration Point a little before 10 am, and am surprised that the car’s thermometer registers a chilly 45 degrees F!   Along the

There’s movements in the short weedy grasses along Nimitz Trail.  An insect is struggling to take flight. Its large compound eyes cover most of its head, meeting almost seamlessly on top of its head. Ah,

I take a late morning walk at the Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve under heavily overcast skies. Passing a Pink-flowering Currant, Ribes sanguineum in peak bloom, I pause to look for insects.  But none appears.  Perhaps

On the grassy hills along Sanborn Drive at Joaquin Miller Park, the trailing vines of the Wild Cucumber, Marah oregana are putting on their own little floral displays if one cares to stop and look.  The Wild

Time to revisit Joaquin Miller Park and check on the stand of Ceanothus!   The Miner’s Lettuce, Claytonia perfoliata is blooming nicely.  I slow my steps to check for pollinators on these minute flowers borne on

It is such a joy to be able to explore a trail again after the seemingly endless days of rain and clouds.  When the sun returns this afternoon, I sprint out the door and head

The Osoberry, Oemleria cerasiformis is in bloom!  The species is dioecious – male and female flowers are borne on separate plants.   A quick check on the flowers show me that this is a male plant.  See

It is still rather cold when I arrive at the East Bay Regional Botanic Gardens this morning.  No insect is flying.  On a Ceanothus with fading flowers I spot this bright yellow female Crab Spider,