The first California poppy (Escholzia californica) of the season opened in the garden today. These have been blooming around town for at least two weeks now, but ours have been laggards. Looking at the center of the photo, it is easy to see why the bees and bumblebees love the poppies. They are a rich source of pollen early in the season.
The "Julia Phelps" Ceanothus is in full bloom at the moment. The tightly packed, fragrant, blue flowers that cover the Bush attract an extraordinary variety of insects, including native bees, bumblebees, and honeybees. Another great source of early-season pollen. Notice the packed pollen baskets on the legs of the bee in the photograph.
I also note here that the "Ray Hartman" Ceanothus has been in bloom for more than a week, but I missed the first blooms.
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