Hornets …ouch!

[Alan]

Was out with Capt’n Kev on a Fungi photo foray today, when we came across group of Hornets swarming around a hole in a tree.

We quickly set-up the tripods and attached 300mm lenses, and began to snap away from about 2 metres. It was quite apparent that there were a lot more of them than we first though with about a dozen around the hole, and with just as many in the air coming a going continuously. At fist we though they were raiding the nest of something else, but it soon became obvious that they were either excavating a new nest or carrying damp wood material away to build one somewhere else.

A few buzzed around us, but didn’t seem too bothered with our presence so I moved a little nearer as my lens has quite a near focus - about 1m. Kev changed to a 90mm Macro, and took a few shots closer still, but they seemed to buzz around him a little too much so he retreated, and we swapped lenses so he could get good close-ups from a little further away with my lens.

I put on the Macro and moved closer for a few hand-held shots from about 18 inches away. More numbers of them started to build up as Kev took a few more shots from about 1m away, and I backed off – not soon enough! I was just saying to Kev “they’re more docile that normal wasps and keep still and don’t wave your arms about or anything”, when out of nowhere WHACK! – straight on my forehead! Ouch! I instinctively turned away rubbing my head and noticed a guy walking toward us, but he soon stopped dead in his tracks said “wasps?”, I said “no Hornets”, and he quickly grabbed his dog an legged it lol

We got the message!, and decided we had outstayed our welcome, and left the Hornets to do Hornety things, and went on our way - me with a throbbing head!

‘Who dares wins’ lol

A pic of them as they started to gather around the hole.



Here two of them are carrying wood material out of the hole.



This is a close-up view of the back of one.



All good fun…….nearly!

Alan

[matt_xyz]

great shots Al, hope your head's OK. How did it compare to a wasp or bee sting?

I'm impressed at the lengths you went to in order to provide some photos for WAB We should be able to award WAB medals for bravery in the field.

Matt

[Barbara]

Ouch!! I bet that hurt Alan , I've never been stung by a hornet thank goodness, I've been stung by a bee once, when I was small and a few years ago by a wasp. Hope the it's wasn't too painful but I bet it was . I think you were lucky only getting stung once you are very brave but hey I guess the danger goes with the job . These are fantastic close up shots of the hornets they don't half look mean that's probably why they stung you. This apart I hope you and Captain Kev had a great day out,did you get any shots of fungi by the way

[Alan]

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

great shots Al, hope your head's OK. How did it compare to a wasp or bee sting?

I'm impressed at the lengths you went to in order to provide some photos for WAB We should be able to award WAB medals for bravery in the field.

Matt

About the same as bee and wasp Matt. The stingy pain almost warn off now. No swelling though, but then again it's mainly skin on the head isn't it. I tend not to swell with bites anyway.

Like Kev said - it could have been worse, it could have been him!

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Barbara

Ouch!! I bet that hurt Alan , I've never been stung by a hornet thank goodness, I've been stung by a bee once when I was small and a few years ag by a wasp. Hope the it's wasn't too painful but I bet it was . I think you were lucky only getting stung once you are very brave but hey I guess the danger goes with the job . These are fantastic close up shots of the hornets they don't half look mean that's probably why they stung you. This apart I hope you and Captain Kev had a great day out,did you get any shots of fungi by the way

Yes quite a few shots of Fungi Barbara, but they didn't swarm as much

[chunkychambers]

Great story and great shots Alan
What would round off the episode perfectly is a great photo of your inflamed forehead

[honeybee]

Haha LOL!
Lovely pictures.
My mum's dog got too close to a nest in a tree and got stung last year. There were some nesting in a bird box on a tree too and I got up close and they just carried on.
I hope you carry some piriton with you? Apparently you can develop an allergy out of nowhere.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by chunkychambers

Great story and great shots Alan
What would round off the episode perfectly is a great photo of your inflamed forehead

There's nothing there to see though Paul! It was just very tender with just a pin-prick of blood and a small white area around it. I'll try to do better next time!

[Alan]

Originally Posted by honeybee

Haha LOL!
Lovely pictures.
My mum's dog got too close to a nest in a tree and got stung last year. There were some nesting in a bird box on a tree too and I got up close and they just carried on.
I hope you carry some piriton with you? Apparently you can develop an allergy out of nowhere.

I don't tend to do allergies Honeybee. The Hornet may need treating more

I see what you mean though, maybe it would be a good idea to start carrying a small first aid kit around. What's Piriton though? An anti-hystermean (if that's how you spell it!) or anti-inflamatory?

[Captain Kev]

Originally Posted by chunkychambers

Great story and great shots Alan
What would round off the episode perfectly is a great photo of your inflamed forehead

I'd have taken one of the hornet attacking Alan Chunky, but alas I was too busy laughing

There was a couple of attacks on me as well, but they just bounced off my head!! (solid Rock)