Yellow Jacket feasting on Peony Bud by Chipka
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Description
Yellow Jackets are among my favorite insects in the United States…in fact, they are among my favorite inhabitants of the entire planet. They are elegant creatures, serene and docile, if you know how to act around them, and they’re incredibly fascinating. Like most social insects, they are amazingly developed. Of course, they sting, though unlike their smaller, more hirsute honeybee cousins, their stingers aren’t as profoundly barbed, and so do not often come dislodged with fatal after-effects to the wasps themselves. I’ve never been stung by yellow jackets, or any other member of the wasp/hornet/bee family. In ways that are crushing to my ego, yellow jackets have a habit of ignoring me, even if I stick my finger into their hives and stroke one of the workers in order to get her to move into camera range. I’ve tried this, only to receive a half-hearted exploratory bite, to see if I was edible (or dangerous?). Apparently, I don’t appeal to yellow jacket culinary tastes, nor do I emit threat pheromones or color shifts that drive them into a frenzy…this might be a good thing, and though I love these critters, I don’t actually plan on coaxing any of them to sting me. I do talk to them, on occasion, and I’ve discovered that like me, they enjoy peach tea.
I suspect that this little lady is a queen, stocking up on nectar (and any “pest” insects she’s likely to find, before starting this year’s colony. I’d watched her for a while, but she seemed more content on feeding on peony-bud nectars and any small mites that might have ambled too closely to her impressive, and powerful mandibles. There were a couple of times she shifted and cleaned her back legs, but that’s the extent of her interest in posing for the camera.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and hopefully you've enjoyed this picture as much as I enjoyed making it. This is the first yellow jacket I've gotten close to this year. Hopefully I'll find a nest to photograph soon.
Comments (16)
Seven
Very impressive shot. Wonderful clarity, light and colors. I found your comments interesting too, although I myself am more partial to the Peony than the Yellow Jacket.
MrsRatbag
I tend to avoid them whenever possible. I don't think I'd have the courage to try stroking one! you must have the magic touch, Chip! Great photo, exquisite detail!
M2A
Excellent close-up, greatly captured.
auntietk
This is an excellent photograph, my friend! I'm impressed as all get-out at your yellow-jacket-whispering career and your ability to get small critters to hold still. But what I want to know is ... who told you it was a peony? LOL! I'm pretty sure you had help with that part. (It IS a peony, btw!) :D
romanceworks
She seems euphoric as she embraces the world of that peony. A grand shot and very interesting encounters. CC
beachzz
Let's see--you stuck your finger in the nest, didn't get bitten, asked her to pose for you. Hmmm, not bad for a day's work!!!
ledwolorz
Fantastic colors and light.Wonderful macro.
GBCalls
Fantastic photo! Excellent
kleinhoon
Excellent macro!
durleybeachbum
I love wasps too, although I haven't tried stroking them(!) If you look at the link below you will see where my last wasp nest was...so exciting, although I had intended the space to be occupied by birds! When there is a decent nest in my garden I never have any aphid! http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=1649340 Super pic, by the way, Chip!
ladyraven23452
great shot
elfin14doaks
Very nice macro.Great shot, I think I will just look at them through your eyes and lens, and not my own. I find with myself, yellow jackets and I really don't like each other. I put off a fear scent around them, because they are so fatal to me. That scent does promote attack, however I have tried to remain calm in the presence and still they just know.
photostar
Well, I suppose the title fits the capture perfectly. Super macro, Chip. Don't mind being around bees, however, these guys, I leave to their own devices and don't want to mess with them...LOL
CoreyBlack
This is really nice. You seem to have this insect/bug thing down well. They're like well-realized still lifes and remind me of something out of National Geographic. Wasps, I've always tried to avoid out of general reputation. When I first heard of yellow jackets when I was a kid, I thought they were some kind of military regiment, as in a squad of yellow jackets, possibly attacking the red coats. I remained rather indifferent to them until the summer of 1984, when I was mowing the grass and one of them flew up my nose and stung me. Needless to say, I'm no longer indifferent to them. Again, a very nice shot.
Prematos
Fantastic macro.
anaber
Excellent find.They look having fun.I love both and the contrast is wonderful.Superb close up!