I saw this wasp nest in the woods in mid-August, when it was still warm.
I got pretty close to it, but without a zoom lens you can’t see the wasps very well.
I returned three weeks later.
The weather is cooler and the wasps are staying inside more, but when they leave the hive they are moving really fast. It’s shady, and the low light combined with zippy movement makes it hard to get a good shot.
Here’s a paper wasp poised to take off,
and here’s another.
Here are two wasps scooting along in a blur, coming and going,
and here’s a photo of one wasp in superhero mode, and two that are getting ready to take off.
Their nest is made from chewed up rotted wood and spit. Some bird’s nests are made from twigs and spit. Some ants make nests of mud and spit. I don’t think of saliva as a construction material, but I’m clearly in the minority here.
Fantastic pictures! I love the beauty of their nest and of wasps too. Funny thing is i’m allergic to their sting.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a wasp’s nest that was as big as that one. Holy cow!!! It’s huge!
Love your photos. I especially enjoyed the before and after photos of the beaver’s workmanship and Thankful the little indian horse. It sparked a great discussions with my 9 year old son.
Thanks for commenting, Jami!!
That wasp’s nest is amazing - another example of nature’s handiwork which is always incredible to me!
I ‘watched’ a wasp’s nest all summer, hanging from the end of a very small branch - it’s nearly impossible to figure how they do it! I’m totally impressed!
Thanks for sharing your photos with us.