I heard her coming as I stepped outside of the front door.
The pot had already been covered and she spent the next two days adding layers of mud to weather proof her nest for the winter.
I was fascinated to see her bring the smooth mud ball, held against her thorax by her front legs and her head.
The mud ball was then smoothed into place, perhaps to resemble the stone wall surface?
This is the type of pot she is covering, so she is capable of a much finer work. I had watched a pot being built last October. Perhaps it was from that very pot that she has emerged this year.
Isn’t it amazing what they can do!
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Exactly! Amelia
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Such an interesti8ng looking wasp and great photos.
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Thank you. I find them fascinating to watch. Amelia
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Thank you. She was not bothered by the camera or being the centre of attention. She was too engrossed in her work. Amelia
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Beautiful work! How lucky to have her so close by.
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I was very lucky to catch her working. Amelia
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Wonderfully observed. We have only ever had one and I don’t think she has returned this year, but maybe next year!
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Beautiful. And their narrow waists are amazing – how all the nerves connecting their bodies pass through it!
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I’d never thought of that! Amelia
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It is very easy to miss them and then the pots are well camouflaged. Amelia
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Hello – I usually read your posts and often forward them to other people but I don’t actually tell you how enjoyable and informative they are. So this is me telling you and thanking you! Bonne weekend. 🙂
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That’s so kind of you to take the time to write to me :)! It means a lot to me. Amelia
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How fascinating!
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Such superb pictures! You are so lucky to have this creature nesting near you. They are such clever, industrious insects and I wonder if more people knew about them perhaps they might respect insects more and stop using insecticides.
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I must be honest and admit it was just outside the door, otherwise I would probably have missed it. But I do agree that if people had more interest in the vast array of beautiful insects that surround us they would have more concern and respect for their lives. Amelia
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Fascinating! Looking at the pot closely, the fine artistry is incredible. And without a potter’s wheel!
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