Photography

HAB911

(9,710 posts) Sun Jul 20, 2025, 03:00 PM Sunday

Flying 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.

6 replies

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Flying machine of a different kind (Original Post) HAB911 Sunday OP

WhoaWhattaCoupleOfShots HAB911! Great to have you back!! George McGovern Sunday #1

Thanks George! HAB911 Sunday #3

These are simply splendid photos! Thank you so much for sharing them, my dear HAB911! CaliforniaPeggy Sunday #2

Thanks peggy! HAB911 Sunday #4

It did come out, but I would say it came out splendidly! CaliforniaPeggy Sunday #6

I've seen those Tom Dyer Sunday #5

George McGovern

(8,121 posts)

1. WhoaWhattaCoupleOfShots HAB911! Great to have you back!!

Reply to HAB911 (Original post)

Sun Jul 20, 2025, 03:19 PM

Sunday

HAB911

(9,710 posts)

3. Thanks George!

Reply to George McGovern (Reply #1)

Sun Jul 20, 2025, 03:54 PM

Sunday

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)

2. These are simply splendid photos! Thank you so much for sharing them, my dear HAB911!

Reply to HAB911 (Original post)

Sun Jul 20, 2025, 03:50 PM

Sunday

The thing that struck me first was how incredibly clear and sharp they are. The details jump out at me.

HAB911

(9,710 posts)

4. Thanks peggy!

Reply to CaliforniaPeggy (Reply #2)

Sun Jul 20, 2025, 03:57 PM

Sunday

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)

6. It did come out, but I would say it came out splendidly!

Reply to HAB911 (Reply #4)

Sun Jul 20, 2025, 05:03 PM

Sunday

Tom Dyer

(204 posts)

5. I've seen those

Reply to HAB911 (Original post)

Sun Jul 20, 2025, 04:55 PM

Sunday

and wondered what they were.

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