Posted by Guy Rogers on September 21, 2010 at 8:53 AM
Canon 1D MK 1V, Sigma 180mm, 1/500, iso 400, f9.
Picture of a Hornet Worker adding layers to the Hornet nest. Took me quite along time to get this shot due to the light conditions where the nest was. After some time watching I noticed they always worked backwards or a least this one did. I then just waited till the worker moved into the lighter area and used the darker layer behind to help make the Hornet stand out better.
Posted by Matt Cole on September 21, 2010 at 9:14 AM
Hi Guy, this is nicely taken and shows the nest building activity very well. I think this is probably a Median Wasp though, rather than a hornet. I had a Median Wasp nest in my garden a couple of years ago and took many similar images to this - I think I can just about see the characteristic yellow v-shaped mark on the shoulder. Do you have other shots where this mark might be more visible?
Matt
Posted by Guy Rogers on September 21, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Hello Matt.
Thanks for the info. I will have a look at the other images a bit later when I have some more time. I did some checking when I found this nest and it did say the Hornet queen would have lots of workers before she made more queens. I have not been back to the nest site for a while now but a freind of mine who has them in is back garden says there are now plenty of Hornets coming out which are three times the size and a nice golden brown yellow colour. I will check and thanks again.
Posted by Geoffrey Baker on September 21, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Some nice detail in this shot, all your work has paid off
Geoff.
Posted by Matt Cole on September 21, 2010 at 11:02 AM
you may well be right Guy, there is some similarity between hornets and median wasps. The Median Wasp queens do look very much like hornets and are very large and a golden brown colour. The yellow v-mark should tell you one way or the other.
Matt
Posted by Karen Summers on September 21, 2010 at 12:46 PM
lovely image Guy lots of people are scared of these, but when you see them close up and at work they are fascinating
Posted by Andy Shepherd on September 21, 2010 at 1:10 PM
Which ever species it is, it's a good close-up of an insect you couldn't get me within a 100yds of
Andy...
Posted by Ian Haskell on September 21, 2010 at 1:35 PM
Nice detail close up - wouldn't catch me near one on purpose.
Ian
Posted by Craig Jones on September 21, 2010 at 3:24 PM
Very different Guy love the POV
Posted by David Taylor on September 21, 2010 at 5:06 PM
Great stuff. Very well captured indeed.
Posted by Guy Rogers on September 22, 2010 at 3:14 AM
Hello Matt.
Thanks for getting back to me and taking the time to check this out for me. I have also now had a good look on the internet and I am quite happy to go along with you thats it is a Median Wasp.
Discussion
10 repliesPicture of a Hornet Worker adding layers to the Hornet nest. Took me quite along time to get this shot due to the light conditions where the nest was. After some time watching I noticed they always worked backwards or a least this one did. I then just waited till the worker moved into the lighter area and used the darker layer behind to help make the Hornet stand out better.
Matt
Thanks for the info. I will have a look at the other images a bit later when I have some more time. I did some checking when I found this nest and it did say the Hornet queen would have lots of workers before she made more queens. I have not been back to the nest site for a while now but a freind of mine who has them in is back garden says there are now plenty of Hornets coming out which are three times the size and a nice golden brown yellow colour. I will check and thanks again.
Geoff.
Matt
Which ever species it is, it's a good close-up of an insect you couldn't get me within a 100yds of
Andy...
Ian
Thanks for getting back to me and taking the time to check this out for me. I have also now had a good look on the internet and I am quite happy to go along with you thats it is a Median Wasp.