Take one honey bee and one Japanese anemone. Then add one jumping spider.
The results don't always turn out so well.
But today in the East Asian Collection Garden of the UC Davis Arboretum, everything turned out well--for the honey bee.
The bee foraged on the golden stamens of the Japanese anemone without becoming prey, despite the spider camouflage with an anther.
The East Asian Collection Garden is just one of 17 gardens or collections in the 100-acre UC Davis Arboretum.
Located near Mrak Hall, the "East Asian Collection is a popular place for picnics with open lawns and lovely views of Lake Spafford," according to the Arboretum website. "Cherry blossoms and daphne are standouts in winter and spring, while gingko and zelkova trees and ornamental grasses provide beautiful fall color."
Arboretum officials say the plants represent "a living museum."
Indeed they do. The gardens are also a good place for students, staff, faculty, flowers, insects and spiders to interact.
The beauty of the Arboretum defines the UC Davis campus.
Attached Images:
Honey bee in flight, heading toward a Japanese anemone and unaware of the spider. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Honey bee forages while the jumping spider lurks. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
This was a perfect time for the jumping spider to nail the bee, but it didn't. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)