Late season wasp....

[PaulRJennings]

While putting away the patio furniture yesterday I came across a hibernating wasp in the folds of a cushion. I took him down to my basement for a photo shoot. By the time I got things set up he had come "alive" so I gave him a shot of "freeze it" which slowed him down again. As I was putting things away I also saw one of my elusive "ghost " spiders that live in my basement. Little fellow about 1/2 inch long and lives in the dark for the most part.....
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[Ziggy]

Very nice detail in wasp.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[Geoff F]

Well focused and exposed.

That spider looks similar to the Pholcus phalangioides spiders which we get here. Sometimes called Daddy Longlegs Spiders. They look delicate but are actually one of the fiercest predators amongst spiders and use those long legs to 'throw' silk over their victims. Totally harmless to people though.

[deetheturk]

Nice captures Paul!

[PaulRJennings]

Thanks all. Geoff, it could be some sort of daddy long legs. They live in my basement in the dark for 99% of the time. Rarely see em, just there webs everywhere.

[IzzieK]

I prefer the spider shot -- looks very clean.

[PaulRJennings]

Thanks Izzie.....the wasp was done under good lights with a tripod, the spider was on a dirty white wall in a dim part of basement hand held. You never know what you will get!