More Hornet Fun - Closer

[Stagecoach]

I had another go with the long lenses today shooting my hornets but could not come up with anything to improve on yesterdays shots. Then I had the wizard idea of using the camera on the monopod like a selfie stick, cable release and live view, total fail as the image on the LCD is way too dark to see.

So with some very careful greenery pruning and rearrangement and with a real stretch over a fence I can get about as close as I dare

All taken with the 105mm macro, on camera flash and diffuser,

No 1


No 2


No 3


No 4


Grahame

[FootLoose]

I'm pretty sure I've seen that guy in #2 in a movie 😉

[xpatUSA]

Seems like they were aware of your presence ...

I also like #2 which has a good rendition of the paper texture.

Well done.

[John 2]

Both of your posts form a really good series. It fascinates my that the markings on these Hornets have an almost robotic precision to them. Presumably quite aggressive when railed.

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured, perfect background created with the use of flash.

[Stagecoach]

I'm pretty sure I've seen that guy in #2 in a movie 😉

There's a lot that look like him

[Stagecoach]

Seems like they were aware of your presence ...

I also like #2 which has a good rendition of the paper texture.

Well done.

Some are certainly aware and whilst some will continue working away it's great when you get the stare, have time to frame and AF on him and capture it. The lens front would have been about 8 inches away, perhaps it's their reflection they are looking at

[Stagecoach]

Both of your posts form a really good series. It fascinates my that the markings on these Hornets have an almost robotic precision to them. Presumably quite aggressive when railed.

Thank you John. Yes they almost look 'precision' made and somewhat heavy.

They can be very aggressive as I have previously learnt and the stings take a few days to swell down.

[Stagecoach]

Nicely captured, perfect background created with the use of flash.

Thanks John, it's certainly easier shooting them lit almost totally by flash.

I'll have a go today using the two SBR200s on the front of the lens.

[Manfred M]

You seem to like living dangerously...

The results are worth it though. Nice images.

[flashback]

There's a lot that look like him

'There's a lot that look like HER'
Great shots all. Are these the 'standard' sized wasps or are these the supersized ones?

[Stagecoach]

You seem to like living dangerously...

The results are worth it though. Nice images.

Thank you Manfred, I had a go today using the 70-200mm with a 36mm tube, an interesting combination.

[Stagecoach]

'There's a lot that look like HER'
Great shots all. Are these the 'standard' sized wasps or are these the supersized ones?

Thank you, they are approx 25mm in length.

[Stagecoach]

For those interested in the correct identification of these guys I believe I have now found the answer. It appears they are 'Yellow Oriental Paper Wasps' (Polistes Olivaceus)

https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/1807153420
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/318...stes-olivaceus

[xpatUSA]

For those interested in the correct identification of these guys I believe I have now found the answer. It appears they are 'Yellow Oriental Paper Wasps' (Polistes Olivaceus)

https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/1807153420
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/318...stes-olivaceus

We have similar here in Texas at 30N 96W, perhaps Texas Paper Wasp polistes apachus but the which are said not to cap the cells ...:



Poor shot, on-camera flash under a tin roof ...

[mugge]

I'm pretty sure I've seen that guy in #2 in a movie 😉

That was Frank