tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post7333210696478892864..comments2024-02-29T09:31:25.294-05:00Comments on camera-obscura: bald-faced hornets and heat wavesbilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-43336720990080785692012-07-01T10:24:31.683-05:002012-07-01T10:24:31.683-05:00billie-
I had seen them buzzing around the food b...billie-<br /><br />I had seen them buzzing around the food bowl for days and thought maybe they were some type of parasitic critter so I let them be. <br /><br />They are quite striking looking, and I'd love to find an abandoned nest for closer inspection. <br /><br />I agree that they probably move on when the food source is gone. Early in the season I saw them scraping on wood after it had rained. I think that's the raw material for their nests.<br /><br />I give them a wide berth now, and clean Val's bowl and mat thoroughly. That seems to have sent them on their way. No more stings please!!<br /><br />Stay cool!! Today is going to be challenging - the humidity is around 90% here. :)Calm, Forward, Straighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08360276614916635500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-10213785500150108312012-06-30T22:53:37.754-05:002012-06-30T22:53:37.754-05:00C, wow - I have experienced no aggression at all w...C, wow - I have experienced no aggression at all with them. They seem to be gone for the most part, so my sense is they came when there were flies to eat and now they've depleted the supply have moved on.<br /><br />I'm not sure what we would do to get rid of them - not willing to spray poison and the nest is as yet not anywhere we can find. My guess is it's in a tree in the forest. <br /><br />I confess that I love the way they look - the black and white just seems so perfectly formed, and that nest - they are artists!<br /><br />That said, one sting might make me change my tune. I got a bumblebee stuck in my sandal a week or so ago and I cried like a baby when it stung my toe. I guess I shouldn't have marched through its clover patch!billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-7972946872967586462012-06-30T22:44:06.998-05:002012-06-30T22:44:06.998-05:00A, you take care too - loved reading about Dusty a...A, you take care too - loved reading about Dusty and your rides today!billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-69117047744505617812012-06-30T17:37:09.469-05:002012-06-30T17:37:09.469-05:00We're taking it easy here too. Salt, cool rins...We're taking it easy here too. Salt, cool rinses and (!) watermelon. :)<br /><br />I had experiences with those hornets last summer. (aka bald -faced hornets) <br /><br />Please be careful - they are in fact aggressive, and the sting I got swelled my hand up like a baseball glove. I believe one also stung Val on his ankle. <br /><br />I don't think they are flying around looking to attack but if you get near the nest, or are interfering with or in the way of their feeding, they'll get you good. <br /><br />They eat spilled feed and mash as well. I got stung when I picked up Val's food pan for cleaning. :)Calm, Forward, Straighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08360276614916635500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-62535885729984218392012-06-30T12:40:48.335-05:002012-06-30T12:40:48.335-05:00It's interesting about the hornets. I think it...It's interesting about the hornets. I think it was a great idea to let them stay and help with the fly population. The nest looks very pretty. It amazes me how they make their hives. I hope you find one.<br /><br />We've got very high temps too and humidity. The herd is spending the nights outdoors and if they want to come in during they day we let them. They like standing under their fans during the heat of the day with fresh water available and plenty of hay. There's no riding here either. Take care and stay cool.Grey Horse Mattershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05837575441967937196noreply@blogger.com