Vespula Germanica

Every summer, the wasps visit us in greater or lesser numbers, and presently the first ones have arrived. They are attracted to the timber rail of our deck where they take shavings for use in the construction of their nests. The kanuka trees nearby are hosts to scale insects producing sweet sap, another attraction for the insects.

When they fly inside the house, they will inevitably try to escape, dancing up and down the window panes – fodder for the camera, if I am fast enough to follow them. This shot was taken with flash, producing a nice double reflection.

For more black and white images check out Dragonstar’s Weekend in Black and White.