fear factor

[tupe]

Spiders and snakes don't bother me, but these guys pack a wallop. I wasn't too scared, though - I think this one is moribund, and besides, they're pretty slow in the spring.

http://typelogic.com/photos/wasp3a.jpg

[sparker1]

Good capture.

[RJSorensen]

Good picture . . . of a terrible thing.

[tupe]

Thanks, guys. It was rather comical - I'm on the floor in my office inching up on this critter and s/he's crawling away from me, about 3" from my lens. I have that effect on many of my subjects (the two canada geese in the park were near panic before they finally flew to safety in the river). Any pointers on how to stalk your prey without scaring it witless?

[tupe]

Another came in yesterday, "to sleep, perchance to dream."
Wonder what it is about the air quality in this building?
http://typelogic.com/photos/slides/39-wasp%20face.jpg

[4nR]

this is what happened to me when i saw this: hmm, fear factor? interesting topic i think i'll just click on it and...AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! ... ok, im ok. im just going to scroll down to avoid that pic...AAAAAAAAAA! kidding aside, if you want to get closeup shots of your subjects, i would try using a telephoto lens, to minimize any intrusion of their personal space. if you cant, and have to get real close, i'd suggest moving very slowly towards them but not making a beeline (pun not intended) straight at them.

[Michaelmjc]

Its a good shot, but the carpet is extremely distracting.

[tupe]

Its a good shot, but the carpet is extremely distracting.Good point. And since these subjects are difficult to pose, I had to wait for another opportunity.

This one landed on me this morning, and I managed not to kill it in self-defense. With a little coaxing s/he stayed on the floor:
http://typelogic.com/photos/wasp4.jpg

[V6GTO]

For those on the forum who don't live in the USA...what is it and why is it dangerous?

Martin. (A Brit living in Spain)

[tupe]

For those on the forum who don't live in the USA...what is it and why is it dangerous?

Martin. (A Brit living in Spain)Polistes sp. or paper wasp, so called because they build nest of paper-like material. They are of the same order (hymenoptera) as hornets and yellow jackets.

Wasps have a painful sting. The sting isn't usually dangerous unless you are allergic or are stung several times at once.

For more information, see http://crawford.tardigrade.net/bugs/BugofMonth16.html

[Fer]

OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have chills all over my body!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Those things scares me the most!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tupe]

Karma.

I noticed yet another wasp on the inside of my windshield yesterday, and watched it until it blew by the open window and (I thought) out the back. This morning on my way to work I felt a twinge in my forearm and looked down to see the hitchhiker resting on my pager.

Martin, this is why we don't like them:

http://typelogic.com/photos/sting.jpg

I would have taken its picture, but there wasn't much left.

[RJSorensen]

Ouch! I like them not, as well.

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

haha, that sucks. I swallowed a bee when I was like 4. Damn thing stung me on the inside of my throat and the tissue became inflamed. Yea, got pretty hard to breathe. Since then, I've killed every one of those little bastards that I could find. It's practically became a hobby....