It's Acacia

Buds on the Acacia iteaphylla (= willow-leafed acacia) have started to explode into tiny bright yellow bomb bursts of nectar and pollen. This attractively willowy Australian native shrub will provide food for the local insect talent for a month or so at a time when not so many plants are producing abundantly if at all. And, that's a syrphid fly feeding on the acacia flower, probably genus Eupeodes.

Yes, we really should be using more California native plants in our gardens and landscapes. Acacias aren't California natives but they are well-adapted to our climate and have low water requirements. They mix efficiently and attractively with low water-need local natives.