Wasps

MichelleL

Two more from my walk yesterday:

Native Paper Wasp - Ropalidia revolutionalis

These ladies and gents aggressively defend their nests using their powerful stings which can cause severe allergic reactions in some people. Paper Wasps are useful pest controllers feeding their larvae on chewed-up caterpillars. Thankfully it was early in the morning so they weren't quite as aggressive as I have seen them in the past.





and

Native Paper Wasp - Ropalidia romandi

This is also a paper wasp and had his picture taken a few hours after the first one - needless to say he was a tad more on the aggressive side. I only managed to get about 4 shots of this guy before I felt he was getting quite cranky about having a flash go off in his face. It was also quite windy where he was and I'm sure he thought I was moving his branch up and down to annoy him. I took off at a reasonable pace and checked my pictures of him a bit down the road.



MichelleL

darkdragon

I love the second one the best, I like the angle because it has his head and full body which is a nice change from most pictures I see of wasps.

I will only be able to get a good picture of a wasp with a very very very long lens as I'm kinda terrified by them. 10 stings in one shoulder (within about 2 seconds time) will do that to a girl.

garyt

Nice shots Michelle. Like the 2nd one best. You are quite brave to get that close. Wasps are the one thing I definitely stay away from. They can be down right nasty.

MichelleL

darkdragon wrote:

I love the second one the best, I like the angle because it has his head and full body which is a nice change from most pictures I see of wasps.

I will only be able to get a good picture of a wasp with a very very very long lens as I'm kinda terrified by them. 10 stings in one shoulder (within about 2 seconds time) will do that to a girl.

I hear thee - I've been stung a couple of times, funnily enough, not taking their photo but gardening.

I was very alert and watching these guys - and the wasp in the second photo, he was particularly jumpy so I only took four shots of him before taking off. This is the only one that worked.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

canon400d

garyt wrote:

Nice shots Michelle. Like the 2nd one best. You are quite brave to get that close. Wasps are the one thing I definitely stay away from. They can be down right nasty.

Yes I like the second shot too Michelle.
Regards
Bob

MichelleL

garyt wrote:

Nice shots Michelle. Like the 2nd one best. You are quite brave to get that close. Wasps are the one thing I definitely stay away from. They can be down right nasty.

I was actually a bit nervous of the second one.

Thanks for your comments.

MichelleL

canon400d wrote:

Yes I like the second shot too Michelle.
Regards
Bob

Thanks Bob.

Lord Vetinari

Wonderful shots- always jealous of the lovely looking wasps you get there
Brian V.

GOLDENORFE

Great shots,mean looking wasps.#2 my fav.
phil.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenorfe/

ColMofed

You're a lot braver than I am. Love the second, the colours are amazing.

Would be nice to see one face-on to get a better look at that eye, but I guess if he turned to face you you'd just have to turn and run!

Rod.

gus

Your all over that flash there michelle

Those black ones dont hurt much but the yellow fellas in your second photo are like being shot. I get stung a lot in my work. Its like watching the old war movie Tora Tora Tora when you accidently disturb a nest. You dont know where to run to as they chase you for 100 yards or more. Must look funny for anyone watching it.