An acquaintance has set up a hide and reflection pool to photograph these German Wasps, Vespula germanica. They are attracted by honey solution squirted into the edge of the water. I shot over 1400 photographs in a little over an hour, and most were rubbish, but I got plenty of keepers. I never thought I would ever get photos like these!

Canon 180mm macro on Canon 7Dii. These are all selective enlargements from part of the frame, sometimes considerably so.

Amazing photos, Alan. Great job.

I suppose you're bound to get a few good ones, but these are incredible!

No stingers?

Wow--That is sooo neat! Well done
We have a very popular drinking pool...
please, tell us what the set up is --the lighting is fantastic!

Those are breathtaking. Thank you sharing them.

dirtdorphins said:
please, tell us what the set up is --the lighting is fantastic!

They were lit by a slave flash on each side of the camera. The hide had mesh to keep the wasps out, with the camera pointing through. (One wasp did get in but it behaved itself.) For the flight shots there was a small piece of wood in the pool for the wasps to land on so that they would all be at about the same distance. The background is just the black of the pool at the rear - you could add a green background if you prefer.

Ours is a really cool rock out in the open...will need to ponder on that a bit.

Wow! Those are amazing photos, Alan. Nicely done and all your behind the scenes work looks like it paid off

Spectacular photos. I love them.
Many thanks for sharing them, Alan.

pikaia said:An acquaintance has set up a hide and reflection pool to photograph these German Wasps, Vespula germanica. They are attracted by honey solution squirted into the edge of the water. I shot over 1400 photographs in a little over an hour, and most were rubbish, but I got plenty of keepers. I never thought I would ever get photos like these!

Canon 180mm macro on Canon 7Dii. These are all selective enlargements from part of the frame, sometimes considerably so.

Those are amazing photos!

One of my wasp photos has won first prize in an international competition run by the Royal Entomological Society!

https://www.nationalinsectweek...

"This brilliant image reminded the judges of those classic wildlife photography shots of antelope drinking around a water hole on the African savannah. To see this in a much-maligned insect like the wasp made for a striking and memorable photograph."

Great photo, something to be very proud off!

Congratulations!
Your photo is certainly worthy

Well deserved, and congratulations!

Congratulations Alan! Like Rick said, it was well-deserved!