Hornet looking for food
On my walk yesterday, I saw this hornet (Vespa crabro), hoornaar in Dutch, looking for food.
Hornets drink the sap of oak trees, and use their strong jaws to keep a hole open and the sap flowing.
Olympus Stylus 1s, 300mm, ISO800, f5.6, 1/250s
From time to time, they look up to see if there are any threats around (also note the three little extra eyes on the top of its head):
Olympus Stylus 1s, 300mm, ISO800, f5.6, 1/250s
As it saw me, it became fully alert. These hornets are far less aggressive than other wasps, but they don't like people hanging around nests or food sources:
Olympus Stylus 1s, 300mm, ISO800, f5.6, 1/250s
They also warn first by flying around your head, buzzing loudly. This one did, so I took a few steps back and all was well again.
Hornets also hunt other insects, but that is just to feed the little ones. They even fillet their prey, and it is funny to watch, as they do this hanging from their hind legs, as you can see in this older photo:
Olympus XZ-1, 112mm, ISO100, f6.3, 1/200s
Thanks for watching!
Seems to be an arising problem with Asian hornets in Belgium, just read it some days ago, going after the bees etc.
I tried today to take a pic of a bee, but it was difficult for me to capture.
Bees move fast 8-).
O ,,,, wasp venomous master @ocrdu, once the sting can make our body hot cold, be careful master.
Nice macro work @ocrdu!
Hornets and things that sound like hornets make me nervous, getting better though through taking pictures of bees. :)
Hornets and bees are quite friendly. Hornets warn by buzzing around your head, bees by waving one leg at you. Yes, really. I worry more about the common wasps, they are more aggressive than these.
@ocrdu. maybe the one i saw is not wasp. will tag you soon i will post it and help me identify it :) Thanks.
awesome shot. i begining to like you gear setup. it seem to capture with ease.
I'm afraid of them. And if it bites?
It really hurts. Less poison than other wasps though, but the sting is more painful. You'll live, unless you are allergic to wasp poison, then you could die. I have never been stung by a hornet myself, they are quite friendly.
Intersting post and great photos.
My wife was stung by a wasp just the other day (Vespula germanica - it was introduced here years ago)
Not allergic to them, I hope?
No.. she was fine. Just a sore.finger.
What a beautiful wasp. I am very fond of Allow me to take this picture for me to make the display screen of my computer.
Go ahead!
I really dislike wasps. I was stung twice already by the common ones. I can only imagine how a sting from those fellas feels...
Less poisonous, but more painful. They rarely sting, though.
Well, I survived twice so... poison me, just keep the pain away, lol
m jelous of your photography... keep it up... great snapshot
Beautiful! until he charges at you :)
Too close is not good, no 8-).