Common wasp vs red ants

Lord Vetinari

Spotted this little scene playout on my sugar/honey syrup feeder.
A common wasp trying to get some syrup.

Brian V.

Trying to sneak up

Whoops- been spotted

No sugar syrup today

ziggy53

Those wasp mandibles could have wreaked havoc on the ant. The wasp must have been feeling benevolent.

Cavalier

Or in the last shot, he was just finishing swallowing his dinner. Great shots as usual.

denisegoldberg

Wonderful shots, as always!

JAG

Do you use a telephoto lens to get these or do the insects just ignore the camera that is a few inches away? I'm amazed as always how you get these kinds of action shots!

Lord Vetinari

@ziggy53 said:
Those wasp mandibles could have wreaked havoc on the ant. The wasp must have been feeling benevolent.

@Cavalier said:
Or in the last shot, he was just finishing swallowing his dinner. Great shots as usual.

@denisegoldberg said:
Wonderful shots, as always!

@JAG said:
Do you use a telephoto lens to get these or do the insects just ignore the camera that is a few inches away? I'm amazed as always how you get these kinds of action shots!

Thanks for all the comments - appreciated
Ziggy most other insects will back away from ants including many spiders, wasps and dragonflies.

Joyce- No I'm using a very close focusing macro lens. I just have a lot of experience on when and how you can get close to insects.

Brian V.