Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Ontario Birds => Topic started by: Cody on June 08, 2010, 09:40:13 PM

Title: Large Bee Hive
Post by: Cody on June 08, 2010, 09:40:13 PM

I found this on the Dofasco Trail on 5th Side Road on the Stoney Creek Mountain last Friday.  This was really hard to photograph and edit because it was surrounded by many trees.  

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46490307@N04/4684081218/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46490307@N04/4684081218/)

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Post by: Dr. John on June 09, 2010, 12:38:51 PM

Great photo. I'm guessing it is more likely a wasp nest by the look (papery rather than waxy) and the fact it is constructed out in the open (as opposed to a cavity).

-John

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Post by: Anonymous on June 09, 2010, 01:09:10 PM

Definitely a wasp nest - watch out for them, they are very nasty predators.

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Post by: Cody on June 09, 2010, 05:24:34 PM

Thanks! They were everywhere!

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Post by: Halton Hills on June 10, 2010, 10:52:52 AM

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That's probably a nest from last year and would not be active any longer.

It's large size.......plus the fact that it's in rough shape......points toward my conclusion.

Hornets don't re-use nests......most all of the colony dies off in the winter.

The queens that survive start fresh in the spring.......so any active nest would be reletively small right now.

Judging by the size of the cells......more that likely this was a Bald Faced Hornet nest......very nasty and aggressive.

They are the large black and white hornets.....very good eyesight.....will chase you down if you get too close.

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