Paper Wasps at Work

[Stagecoach]

Not shot much but crabs at the beach recently but could not resist getting the macro out at home today when I worked out what these fellas were doing. They are stripping wood from my balcony handrails and taking it away for nest building

Enjoy

No 1


No 2


No 3


No 4


No 5


Comments or suggestions welcome as always.

Grahame

[John 2]

Excellent set of shots. Lovely clarity. Couldn't choose between them even if I wanted to.

[Shadowman]

Nice captures.

[IzzieK]

I can choose! I particularly like #3 and #4--maybe because of the dark background making it more clear to look at. I like #1 too but I like #3 best as I can almost see an expression there of passion focusing on his work.

Does this mean you are back to doing more macro work? Just teasing...it's been far and between...

[billtils]

They're all good but it's #3 for me - it's as much a portrait as it is a macro (and works very well in both genres).

[Stagecoach]

Excellent set of shots. Lovely clarity. Couldn't choose between them even if I wanted to.

Thank you John.

I think it was the sunlight that helped the clarity with these, none was added in post.

[Stagecoach]

Nice captures.

Thanks John

[Stagecoach]

I can choose! I particularly like #3 and #4--maybe because of the dark background making it more clear to look at. I like #1 too but I like #3 best as I can almost see an expression there of passion focusing on his work.

Does this mean you are back to doing more macro work? Just teasing...it's been far and between...

Hi Izzie,

I gave up choosing

The expression was more than likely 'if you get any closer I'll attack !'.

I may be tempted to get back at it as today I spotted a couple of rhino beetles in the garden and the large moths have started showing up at night occasionally. Unfortunately, Rusty the dog likes moths and I have to train him to ignore them, if that's possible

Grahame

[rudi]

Very nice set Grahame. Good detail, nice backgrounds too. To be nitpicking: maybe crop a bit off the top in n°1; and a bit more space at the back in n°4 ???

[Stagecoach]

They're all good but it's #3 for me - it's as much a portrait as it is a macro (and works very well in both genres).

Thank you Bill,

I also like them when they are looking head on, especially if you can get low and look up at them.

[Stagecoach]

Very nice set Grahame. Good detail, nice backgrounds too. To be nitpicking: maybe crop a bit off the top in n°1; and a bit more space at the back in n°4 ???

Thank you Rudi, I agree that No 4 could have just a tad more at the rear. There's plenty to do that on the original as these are all quite heavy crops.

[Dave Humphries]

Fascinating series Grahame - and a good selection of angles, each showing something less visible in other shots, despite all being technically excellent.

[Stagecoach]

Fascinating series Grahame - and a good selection of angles, each showing something less visible in other shots, despite all being technically excellent.

Thanks Dave,

The angles were not something I had planned other than me being able to get in a position where I could rest the lens hood on the wood and get their head in the shot. I have a couple of 'rear end' views

[Donald]

Comments or suggestions welcome as always.

Just keep going - these are wonderful. Macro photography of the highest level, I suggest.

[Wavelength]

Just brilliant!!!

[ccphoto]

Great shots! These guys will eat your house if left to their own devices. Fortunately, they haven't taken a liking to the Motor Home yet.

[Donald]

Great shots! These guys will eat your house if left to their own devices. Fortunately, they haven't taken a liking to the Motor Home yet.

It's the teak garden furniture that they like here.

[Ziggy]

Very well dome series.

[Rita]

Very nice Grahame. I think I would be glad that they were stripping the wood on the outside rather than having them inside

[rpcrowe]

Super series of shots...