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Tweedle Beetle Battle
 
Bald-Faced Hornet in flight
 
Paper Wasp in flight

 

Those of you who are acquainted with me know of my fascination with things that fly, in particular bees, wasps and hummingbirds. There are several hummingbird feeders in our yard and the bees and wasps are especially attracted to only two of them.

Paper Wasps are the most frequent visitors and are active all day long. The hummingbirds are quite thankful that the wasps don't visit all the feeders!

The Paper Wasps, at first, seemed to be the dominant force. Whenever a Blue-Black Wasp appeared, he was promptly chased off. Today I observed the arrival of a Bald-Faced Hornet. Although they are not considered aggressive by humans, they certainly seem to be at the top of the hierarchy in the bee-wasp world of my backyard. What wonders they all are to watch. The battle is always over so quickly whenever the hornet arrives, but I am still hopeful of capturing it!

 
Blue-Black Wasp with Paper Wasps attacking
 
Tweedle Beetle Battle
 
Begone, Blue-Black Wasp
COMMENTS
Pkeener said at 11:20 p.m. on Aug 14, 2008:
Patty, I have missed you so much. thank you for this splendid tabblo. the colors and layout and tabblo template really enhance the photos. or maybe vise versa!
Jasontengco said at 1:20 a.m. on Aug 15, 2008:
coooooooooooooooooooool!!!
Wildthing said at 4:55 a.m. on Aug 15, 2008:
Great shots of the wasps at war.
Emmabro said at 7:38 a.m. on Aug 15, 2008:
WOW AMAZING !!!
ConnieL said at 9:15 a.m. on Aug 15, 2008:
Patty, this is great!! It's interesting that the hornets seem to be fighting with each other...I didn't expect that. :)
Tractorbabe said at 9:21 a.m. on Aug 15, 2008:
Patty, these shots are great! You really have patience and a real knack for getting them. Thanks for sharing!
Flinkfar said at 9:32 a.m. on Aug 15, 2008:
Not an easy task to catch bugs in flight - great tabblo. By the way, are you familiar with this guy from Belgium? He apparently developed some special gear for the job.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/
Reta said at 9:50 a.m. on Aug 15, 2008:
Hey way cool :)))))
Memotions said at 9:52 a.m. on Aug 15, 2008:
thanks everyone. Like the Hummingbirds, these guys are among my favourites to try to photograph. Really helps to teach me to be quicker on the shutter button and the lesson on patience is ongoing.
YorkJodi said at 9:54 a.m. on Aug 15, 2008:
Very interesting... I wonder why 3 battle over 1 spot to eat when there are 4 flowers available??
The 1st photo is especially scary... he is coming right at you / me with anger in his eyes... GREAT!!
JuDeck said at 11:27 a.m. on Aug 15, 2008:
I was ready to shout "duck!" seeing the first shot.....great capture and focusing ability to catch that one....I hope you dont have a wasp nest near your home....enjoyed all the shots and your words.
GryphonHeart said at 11:29 a.m. on Aug 15, 2008:
Awesome captures here. Some of the pictures of the wasps looks so fake... unbelievable.
Well done I must say. ;P
Memotions said at 11:31 a.m. on Aug 15, 2008:
There is a wasp nest in our garden shed, but the wasps don't mind me being around them and I don't have any fear.....have not yet been stung. :) I stand a respectable 5-6 feet away from them while they are feeding.
Chilla said at 11:35 a.m. on Aug 15, 2008:
Wonderful macro photography!
Debdog said at 11:52 a.m. on Aug 15, 2008:
amazing captures!!!!!!!!!!!
Swedfinn said at 12:52 p.m. on Aug 15, 2008:
Amazing insight to back yard battles! I lift my hat for you and this tabblo!!
AliDar said at 4:59 p.m. on Aug 15, 2008:
Great captures! I've never really watched them close enough to see there battles. We have a wasps nest on our deck, so we've pretty much left it to them for this year, but you are right, just don't go messing with them and they don't bother you. I'm going to have to watch a little closer and see if there's any neighbouring wasps coming to pay them a visit. BTW, this tabblo reads like a light hearted documentary, great stuff! :)
Loes said at 4:59 p.m. on Aug 15, 2008:
Amazing shots Patty!!
Erich said at 12:10 p.m. on Aug 16, 2008:
SUperb documentation of wasps at battle. But that first shot is outstanding!
Keeli said at 1:48 p.m. on Aug 16, 2008:
Too close for comfort! Great images ;-)
DocEna said at 4:39 p.m. on Aug 16, 2008:
Beautiful dangerous macros...
Memotions said at 5:04 p.m. on Aug 16, 2008:
thanks guys and gals! It is really not as dangerous as it looks. I love the wasps and for some strange reason, I believe they sense it. I have NEVER been threatened by them.
21-gramm said at 9:22 a.m. on Aug 17, 2008:
exellent story, Patty!
Sd14 said at 10:26 a.m. on Sep 28, 2008:
memotions you cetainlyindulge your passion what is in the feeders is it honey that is agreat lens you have what focul lenght just curious these small things are fasinating and good for camera
i also believe you are right when you think they sense no danger from you my dad was a gardener and he used to catch bees in his hands no stings had great respect for nature.
congrats on your passionfor&photos of these insecteswe need those guys more than they need us





mesd14+++joe
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