Protecting the nest. These are about 1/2 inch long and have a sting like a small electric current that fades out over about an hour, tried it once, inadvertently.
Was gonna say that the whatever in the background is distracting, but it's not at all...it sets off the critter rather nicely. Whatever you're doing, it's certainly working, Mark. Lovely, lovely shot.
Love the composition Mark -lots of "tension" in the shot
Also agree with Kenny, in that the light background passing behind the wasp kind sets it off. To me the critter looks like it's an exposure nightmare cause it's so dark and there's lots of reflective bits -looks like you handled it very well!
Thanks Ken. I usually look for something to either bounce the light off, leaf or branch, or in this case late afternoon sun hitting a surface behind to frame the wasp.
Thanks Gill. These wasps are the epitome of bluff, 1/2 inch long with a sting to tickle. I do love the strength of character on display though, fearlessness. The strength of life itself to ensure a return, of young, and the ingenuity employed.
Thanks John. Nightmare? If I had to figure the numbers, probably. Here all I did was come upon the creature at the time of day for the backlit surface and shoot varying the position and strength of the light and the cam position as the light moved - sundown - time for 10 or so shots.
Nice one Mark. Can't say I've seen any wasps like that around, I'm used to seeing the standard European wasp. Thanks for checking out the sting though, If I ever come across one, I'll remember to keep my distance
Matt_3D wrote:
Nice one Mark. Can't say I've seen any wasps like that around, I'm used to seeing the standard European wasp. Thanks for checking out the sting though, If I ever come across one, I'll remember to keep my distance
Thanks Matt. They really are next to harmless, but demonstrative in defence of the nest. You'll find them in the bushes, not on houses like the other wasps.