Bees and blooms

Coppertone and I made our second visit to the garden today.  Our first visit was less than ideal from a blooming standpoint.  Our timing was a bit better on this visit.  Despite the excellent weather there were not too many people visiting on this day.

One of the garden's newest additions was a large water spout in their largest pond.  According to a docent working there the fountain is designed to aeriate the water in the pond that would otherwise become stagnant.  But it also provides some pleasing sounds much like the nearby waterfall and a photo opportunity as well.  We found a spot near an existing bench where one could see both the new fountain and the existing waterfall.  Would be a perfect spot to sit for a spell.

Where there are blooms there are bees.  Lots of them.  We passed by many a plant encircled by a buzz of activity as bees diligently worked from flower to flower gathering pollen.  Later in our hike we spotted a bee house constructed from a cut tree trunk and attached to another tree high in the air.  The sound of the hive was impressive even from the ground.  Within the hive the noise level must have been tremendous.

We accidentally stirred up a bunch of small blue butterflies who were puddling on a damp section of trail.  With their wings closed it was difficult to see them since their undersides were grey.  But when the lot took to flight we were stunned by the flash of blue as their top wings caught the light.  Magical.

The California Oaks trail is a pleasant enough stroll.  But there are just a couple of markers there.  If you are looking for plants and their identification tags then you'll want to spend your time in the Asian Woodland section on the north side of the garden.