Eastern Yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons) Nest

The nest cavity, from a distance 

The nest cavity, a little closer 

Dispatching the remaining wasps 

The nest cavity was about the size of a basketball 

A closer view with remnants of the nest wall 

Even closer...

Still a few wasps about 

Close-up of an Eastern Yellowjacket drinking from the pool.

August 4th, 2014.  

Eastern Yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons) Nest 

Walton County, GA

Several years ago, W dug a pool near the creek to provide a breeding pool for frogs, particularly Upland Chorus frogs (Pseudacris feriarum). He’s been expanding it recently while the weather is dry. 

 

While digging, he sliced horizontally through a subterranean wasp nest, releasing a swarm of rather angry wasps that proceeded to sting him. He beat a hasty retreat – as fast as you can on a tractor - but not before receiving at least 30+ stings, mostly on his arms although he received a couple on his neck and eyelid. This prompted a visit to the local hardware store to procure several spray cans of wasp killer and subsequent cautious visits to the nest to kill off most of the remaining wasps.

Then we were able to take a closer look at the nest. It was about the size of a basket ball. Remnants of the nest itself remained in the cavity. Bodies of wasps littered the bottom of the cavity and a few confused wasps wandered about. We identified the nest as belonging to Easter Yellowjackets (Vespula maculifrons) although we found the body of on Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) in the cavity as well.

 

I love the follwing desciption of the yellowjacket nests in a post entitled ‘Bees, Wasps and Hornets (Oh, My!)’ on the Clover Creek Nursery website:

… ‘The Hornets build nests that hang down from the branch of a tree or shrub, or under the eaves of your house. Yellow jackets make a similar type of nest, but usually it is in the ground or other enclosed space. In either case, the color of the nest is gray or brown with the appearance of an ugly formless papier-mâché.’

http://getplants4less.com/blog/2012/09/11/bees-wasps-and-hornets/

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis): Nest

We’ve had a week or so of gray weather interspersed with rain showers and thunderstorms. Not good weather for rowing but I can’t stay inside all the time. So … I’ve been taking a daily walk down to the creek and then around the field. Yesterday, it started to rain lightly when I set off down the field but I didn’t expect it to last. The rain got heavier the further I went but it clearly was a shower. I decided to shelter under trees down at the road. I’m not sure why I looked back into the woods – probably just occupying time.

There, not more than three feet above the ground was a bird’s nest with chicks. Their eyes were closed and they were almost naked, a little bit of down and some wing feathers. I could hear quiet ‘chipping’ calls – softer than the scolding that chickadees deliver. I followed the nearest sound and finally spied a female cardinal sitting higher up in the tree. The source of the second call – presumably the male – was off to the right, possibly in a tree across the road. I got some shots with a zoom lens and flash but the lighting wasn’t good enough to get close up shots. Today, I went back with an led flashlight. The shot of mum sitting on the nest is a little dark. I tried not to disturb her but she was very shy and took off.

I did get some good shots of the chicks who, for some reason, thought it was dinnertime and responded accordingly for a few seconds.

I’ll keep an eye on the nest if I can do it without disturbing the mum too much.

Reference information: Northern Cardinal (Cardinal cardinalis)
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Canada Geese: Patient Gander

The gander was standing guard on a log across from the island (Segment 16) where the goose is sitting eggs. He was alert and somewhat guarded but didn’t honk or give away the location of the nest.

Gander on Guard

I happen to know where it is because they have used this site for several years.

Goose Sitting Eggs

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Canada Goose: Nesting

About a week ago, I rowed into an inlet (Segment 9) and startled a gander who honked vociferously at me. He swam to the bank a little further into the inlet and joined a goose on the shore. I didn’t given it another thought.

A few days later, I pulled into the shore in the same inlet and spent some time photographing rhododendron flowers; this is an area that would be challenging to get to on foot. As I pulled away from the shore, I happened to look to the left and found that I had been sitting less than 10 m from the nest.

It's always fascinated me that Canada geese nest in such open locations. In spite of the nest being as exposed as this one, it is really quite well camouflaged. The goose blends into her surroundings by adopting a low profile pose that doesn't expose her light breast and her characteristic white neck patch that is visible in this photo.

The goose is sitting tight now. The gander is nowhere in sight - obviously not hanging around the inlet to give away the location of the nest. I’ll be giving the area a wide berth for the next month or so.
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