Photography
Related: About this forumFlying machine of a different kind
Sphecius speciosus, the eastern cicada-killer wasp, a large, solitary digger wasp that makes tunnels in the yard surrounded by mounds of dirt from their digging. This is only the second year they have made their home in my garden. They are not the least aggressive and allow me to get rather close, until eventually tiring of me and moving off to other hunting grounds. These are about 1.5" long and seem to be hunting like a dragonfly does, catching something on the wing, and returning to a perch.

George McGovern
(8,121 posts)HAB911
(9,710 posts)It is nice to have finished my assignment getting ready for the next hurricane. The problem now is the heat index today was 114 deg, over 100 all last week, which limits my outdoor activities. It is seriously dangerous heat and humidity!
CaliforniaPeggy
(154,553 posts)The thing that struck me first was how incredibly clear and sharp they are. The details jump out at me.
HAB911
(9,710 posts)it helps that these are no small subject. I was looking for a swallow-tailed kite with my 1200mm when I saw this wasp, had to back up a few feet to even focus on it, but came out rather well!
CaliforniaPeggy
(154,553 posts)
Tom Dyer
(204 posts)and wondered what they were.