The sheriffs of the conservation team were back on patrol this year for the annual invasion of the flowers
at the de Young, Bouquets to Art.

Sheriff Debbie Evans examining her favorite bouquet.

Critters were found in abundance and some in unusual places…

A floral version of the Herter Mantlepiece guard dogs.

Luckily the ladybugs emerging from this bouquet were impostors.

A tromp l'oeil beetle marches across one bouquet.

Another bouquet looks like the surface of the moon. Can you find the inhabitants?

Who would have thought there would be zebras on the moon?

A camouflaged hummingbird is perched within this bouquet.

Not all exhibitors paid attention to the rules and the sheriffs had to lay down the law.

Sheriff Debbie Evans checks an arrangement for restricted materials and insects as it enters the door. 

This one gets the OK.

Confiscated spray and mister bottles as well as some acceptable bottles to replace them.

Sheriff Lesley Bone confiscating kumquats, which might have attracted four-legged pests into the museum.

An excess of water drips out of this bouquet.

Sheriff Elise Effmann helps clean up a water spill.

Even though they create an interesting effect, mushrooms like these are not allowed because they are food and also release spores into the air.

Sheriff Tricia O'Regan examines the height of this bouquet to determine whether it is far enough away from the art.

Alisa solves a problem with this bouquet: loose material can be hazardous to surrounding art, so a piece of mylar covers the shattered glass.

Arielle helps attach some loose stones to this pedestal with dental wax as a precautionary measure.

Day one of bouquets is complete and the conservators will be back on patrol tomorrow to ensure there are no new leaks or six-legged visitors.