Wasp

[StephenM]

Hi all,

These wasps are building a nest just outside our front door. I think they are some sort of mud wasp? I'm assuming they sting - anyone know? If so I might try and encourage them to move a bit further away!

Cheers,
Stephen

[firstlight]

A mud-dauber... They are pretty big, but I've never seen them aggressive. They generally fill their nests with spiders or grubs... nothing I would miss really. They like water and are often seen near pools and water leaks. I like em... but they are big.

Tony

[JD2439975]

It's the small paper wasps you have to look out for, they are very aggresive if you get within a metre of thier nests.

[troypiggo]

Good shot getting that close. My "critique" would be to get more down to their level, get the eyes.

Mud wasps are cool. If you can, watch them make their "pot" nests. They push the mud around with their antennae to make the shape. It's very cool. They are big and a little intimidating. Haven't tested their aggressiveness to the full by getting "macro" close (ie 100mm or less), but have gotten pretty close.



Nah, paper wasps are cool. Just don't move suddenly. They'll watch you all right, but pretty passive. These were taken around 100mm from their nest. I left this nest for weeks outside my back door. Watched the colony grow from about 4 wasps to 20 or so, then the wife kindly asked me to "take care of it". :)

http://troypiggo.deviantart.com/art/Touch-my-eggs-I-dare-ya-72947995
http://troypiggo.deviantart.com/art/Kids-I-m-home-71068865
http://troypiggo.deviantart.com/art/Close-your-mouth-while-eating-71068960

[StephenM]

Thanks guys, sounds like I can let them stay!

Troy, I would have liked to get in closer for a better angle, but the light was fading and I don't yet have a macro flash. I'll try and catch them in the morning sun one of these days. I'll keep an eye out for any nest-building as well!

Cheers,
Stephen

[troypiggo]

Do you have a normal, ie hotshoe mounted, flash? If so, you can use something like the Lumiquest Softbox to get nicely diffused light without expensive macro ring flashes, or flash brackets and off-shoe chords etc.

[Octane]

Stephen,

Again, excellent. :)

Regards,
Humayun