Daylight Robbery
The bee hotels I have under the veranda, where they are protected from the heat of the sun and the torrential summer rain, are often under attack by other creatures looking for advantage.
Here is one parasitic wasp laying into the nest of a Orange Tail Resin Bee, you can just see the ovipositor behind the middle legs in two pictures. Through it she deposits an egg which feeds on the bee larva and probably the store left for its initial growth.
It’s the way of nature that one thing depends on another for its sustenance. When one piece of the picture is missing there is a deficiency but things invariably balance out in the big picture – just as well for us most destructive humans.
And then there was light … as one more wasp is created, by design.
A wonderfully mysterious nature.
© Mark Berkery ……. Click the pix for a closer look
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Nature's Place 
Hi Mark, Great photography . . . how close did you need to venture to the wasp? Your description takes me back to a question I ponder from time to time — what are the parallels/links between the predatory, parasitic aspect of Nature and the predatory, parasitic aspects of human nature.
Hi Jan. About 4″ (working distance – from tip of lens to subject) away for this size creature – once an insect is occupied it is usually so focussed it won’t notice me unless I draw it into sense (or cognizance) by some shock through some form of vibration – or series of.
Link? is there is one nature and everything in it is that, right up to the stars. Symbolised by the evolution of the human embryo that transits through forms that ‘we’ once were, and still have the knowledge of, if we can only see – and the space between, inside (and ‘out’). Is there anything in nature that isn’t, at least energetically or psychically, in us … I bet it’s reflected in our dna too.
Something like that …
Hi Mark, You must have a very steady presence to get so close to the insect world. Well said about the pervasive unity of Nature!
Hi Jan. Relatively steady – presence, being without reference to errant thought or emotion – the only impediment to peace of mind.
I want to photograph like you once I get older. Fabulous !!!!
? Why not do it now …
Great shots, as always, Mark. And I appreciate your equanimity toward the wasps, especially given your affection for the bees.
Thanks Cate. Every wasp has to have its day – no black without white …
whoa, i feel as though i am looking at a super athlete!
also, amazing photos!
Thanks Tammie. Apparently, for their size they are super strong creatures, like most insects compared to us.
Amazing photos!
Thanks Kathy …
Fascinating and beautiful images, Mark. And I learned what an ovipositor is. Terrific set.
Thanks Jane …
Such lovely curves and arcs to its body!
Indeed, she’s a beauty …
Say what you want about wasps, but they sure have style…they are the Harley Davidsons of insects! They also display the most incredible range of adaptations to their desired niches. I always admire them (from a safe distance).
It does look as if the shape of some sportsters could have been taken from such as this wasp. Perhaps from the fact the wasp came first in form and persists in the accessible psyche or subconscious.
So beautiful pictures! like to see these insects with all the details and to see what the nature creates.
Geneviève
Thanks Geneviève. It’s an intriguing world of created things, for sure …
These are amazing : ))
Thanks Therese … Ingenious nature.
Remember to click pix to see bigger, is better in this instance, on this blog.
Absolutely amazing photos.
Thanks Julie. Can’t beat nature for material to shoot.