I first found and photographed this Aerial Yellowjacket nest in August, high in the Wasatch Mountains. Now that the leaves have fallen, I can see it better.
Aerial Yellowjacket nest in autumn – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 500, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
According to my research, there are at least five different species of yellowjackets in Utah. The most commonly found is the Western Yellowjacket. Yellowjackets can build their nests in holes in the ground or enclosed aerial paper nests similar to those of baldfaced hornets. They are most active and aggressive in late summer when colony populations peak.
Aerial Yellowjackets are in the Genus Dolichovespula. The species that most likely created this papery nest is the Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria), which is abundant in Utah.
Bald-faced Hornets also build nests like this one. Not to stir up a hornet’s nest, but I can confidently say that this nest was created by yellowjackets. I saw and photographed the yellowjackets at this nest in August.
No matter where I am, what the habitat is, or the weather conditions, I can always find something in nature to photograph and write about. Two days ago in the mountains, I had birds, insects, autumn colors, and gorgeous views.
Speaking of views, I wanted to share a compilation of cell phone images I took while heading up to the summit of a pass on my way home. My cell phone creates video stories of my activities and this is how this video came to be.
I hope you enjoy the mountain scenery!
The views were incredible and the fall colors were wonderful to see. I had a lovely, very relaxing, trip into the mountains and saw some pretty interesting bird behavior that I will write about later.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my insect and spider photos.
I wish was there. This is my favorite time of year and your video lit me up. Beautiful country. Thanks Mia.
And.. your narrative about yellowjackets was very interesting. I don’t think you can claim to have lived a full life unless you’ve been stung by one.
Very nice! We use to have loads of paper wasp nests in our area. I have collected a few when they fall. I have not seen any the last 3-4 years. I blame the overuse of pesticide and neighbors who when they do see a paperwasp nest in their yard they spray the nest. I still need to get up there, the colors are probably past but just for the drive. I have not been as busy but it felt good to work in the yard rather than drive.
What a totally gorgeous drive you took us on – though I will admit to being distracted because you are on the ‘wrong’ side of the road for me.
Love the architecture of that nest. And would give it a wide berth.
EC, you made me giggle because both times I was in Australia I felt like I was on the ‘wrong’ side of the road! Then when I came back to the U.S. I almost went into panic mode because I thought I was!
Thank you for including the slideshow — definitely needed that today. 💜 My fosters go up for adoption next week and I’m going to try to get up to camp soon after.
Yellowjackets are such interesting insects, but get pretty intense by the end of the summer. The ones at camp seem to especially love when we cook chicken for the campers. More than once over the years, I’ve come close to getting nailed by them while in the kitchen.
Reminded me of the beautiful fall colors the boys and I drove through many years ago. Fall is different in Virginia, of course! Thanks
Interesting info about the yellow jackets. I did not know that some species build paper nests like hornets. Love those golden aspens. We have one lone quaking aspen in our yard. Its leaves are falling but it has not developed the full yellow color.