On Wasps
I freaked out some paper wasp friends (Polistes metricus) today trying to get some closer reference shots with the good camera, and as a result I got to see an escalating threat display, which was very interesting.
First, they did short bursts of a louder buzz, which I did recognize as feeling threatened, so I backed up and apologized, but kept trying to take pictures.
They did the buzz display again, and then I got hit in the forehead by a flying wasp, at which point I realized that I had definitely worn out my welcome and apologized and left.
So. If you start getting hit by wasps, I'm pretty sure that's the final warning before they start stinging, but I was not inclined to test that hypothesis. Also P. metricus seems to be a little more wary than some other Polistes species.
Also I got to see the beautiful Trogus pennator, an ichneumid with beautiful blue wings and an orange red body who I wear on my right elbow ditch, so that was a delight. Alas, it did not stay still long enough for me to take pictures today.
