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 garden at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at the University of California, Davis.

Her nectaring preferrence left no doubt: grey musk sage (Salvia "Pozo Blue"). She serendipitously posed by the identification label.

Another bumble bee species common to the garden is the yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii).

But only Bombus californicus posed.

The garden, located on Bee Biology Road, west of the central campus, is open from dawn to dusk. There's no admission. It's a joy to walk the paths featuring vegetables, fruits, nuts (almonds) and ornamentals.

Just don't forget to bring your camera.

Bombus californicus might pose for you.