Cicada killers return

[HAB911]

Very difficult to get close, very skittish so macro is out of the question. Here I use the 800mm pf which has a minimum focusing distance of 16ft, so they are not bothered. They act like dragonflies, resting on a leaf, only to dart off and seem to chase something in the air. What I'm reading is these are the males and are chasing off other males, all the while the females are out catching and stinging cicadas and bringing them back to the nest to lay her eggs on.

[perfessor]

1. Those things are huge!

Great shots.

[HAB911]

14. thanks!

[cachukis]

2. Nicely done.

[HAB911]

15. thank you!

[-misanthroptimist]

3. They're big mothers, too!

The first time I saw one, my children were still toddlers. I had no idea what it was, but it looked like something I didn't want around the kids. I called the local university entomology department to find out what it was. (This was in the days before the internet.) The person I spoke to was very nice and explained that they are not at all aggressive. Leave them alone and they'll leave you alone.

But they look dangerous.

Oh, and very nice pics.

[HAB911]

16. they do look intimidating but they are not interested in us!

[mwmisses4289]

4. Are they a type of wasp?

Gorgeous pics!

[HAB911]

17. thank you!

[Delarage]

5. I'm a guy

But this seems like typcial male behavior these days---sitting around on a couch (or leaf) while the women are out working, bringing home the bacon, giving birth, and then raising the kids. At least these males get off the couch for a while to defend the home so the women can come home an work.

[HAB911]

18. LOL, it's that way with many in the animal kingdom

I'll go a step further and say we should have women take a turn at running things, men don't have that good a track record

[Walleye]

6. Great shots! That face is scary. Like the movie "Them" with the giant ants

[HAB911]

19. thank you!

[twodogsbarking]

7. Beautiful. Have some ice cream. You have earned it.

[HAB911]

20. will do! If my wife will let me, lol

[Farmer-Rick]

8. I've seen those wasps around

I always wondered what they were. Now tell me, what are those white and purple large waspy looking things I see every around my veggies?

Seems to me that as the bee population has dwindled, the wasp population has grown. Have they taken over the bees' niche?

[HAB911]

21. IDK, I have noticed fewer honey bees this year

and may be why my everglade tomato plants look good but not producing

[Farmer-Rick]

28. I still can't identify that wasp

It actually stung me....though it wasn't that painful.

AI keeps telling me it is the white striped black mason wasp. But this one is much bigger than a mason wasp and the purple ring around its abdomen was distinctly on the lavender side. It was very pretty. I've seen it twice.

Yeah, the bees here use to make my blooming summer bushes hum with their buzzing. Not anymore.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

9. Great shots!

[HAB911]

22. thank you sir!

[PatSeg]

10. Those are wonderful!

Thank you for sharing.

[HAB911]

23. you are welcome!

[yardwork]

11. I'm very fond of these guys.

I look forward to seeing them every year.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. You are on a fabulous role, my dear HAB911! These are fabulous.

I am glad to see you posting so much! Your work is superb and gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your creativity!

[HAB911]

24. thanks peggy

I'm having fun and not getting any younger (although my PSA is down to .3)!

[George McGovern]

13. Excellent. Different result than your new Laowa lol.

[HAB911]

25. LOL, totally!

[The Madcap]

26. Just don't confuse them for European hornets.

Those things can pack a wallop. Cicada killers live in ground burrows. European hornets build large above ground nests.

[HAB911]

27. these have been nesting in the same spot

for about four years now, throwing dirt all in my screen room, lol.