Potter at work

A cloudy day.  Ghoulish shadows dance together.

I stand on the patio watching a horde of creatures as they struggle for survival.  I can relate.

Suddenly a small thing flits by me.  It pauses, hangs in the air just in front of my face, and we size each other up for the briefest of moments.

Then she goes on about her business.

A female common potter wasp (a.k.a. dirt dauber; Eumenes fraternus) building a nest (2009_05_07_018503)

A female common potter wasp (a.k.a. dirt dauber; Eumenes fraternus) has decided a window screen is the perfect spot for one of her children.  She has only just begun her work.

A common potter wasp nest (2009_05_07_018424)

It will take her a few hours to complete the nest.

When she leaves to fetch more dirt with which to create another ball of mud, I put the tripod out and prep the camera to record her activities.

A female common potter wasp (a.k.a. dirt dauber; Eumenes fraternus) building a nest (2009_05_07_018514)

She doesn’t mind the closeness of the contraption any more than she is bothered by me.  The camera gives her pause once or twice, brief moments of investigation before she moves on with her work.

A female common potter wasp (a.k.a. dirt dauber; Eumenes fraternus) building a nest (2009_05_07_018516)

With each trip the bowl takes shape, grows in a slow yet constant way that reminds me of time-lapse footage showing a mushroom sprouting from damp earth.  With each visit it looks more and more like the pot it will become.

A female common potter wasp (a.k.a. dirt dauber; Eumenes fraternus) building a nest (2009_05_07_018517)

Her diligence is steadfast, her precision admirable.  She will complete the nest in one day.  Later should enough light remain or the following day if night falls too soon, she will provision it with caterpillars, spiders and other foodstuffs before depositing a single egg in its bosom and sealing its entrance. 

A female common potter wasp (a.k.a. dirt dauber; Eumenes fraternus) building a nest (2009_05_07_018531)

After all the work is done, all the building and hunting, she will begin again.  Perhaps near the first pot, perhaps in a different location, but she will repeat this task as often as she can with the eggs she carries inside her.

And when the last nest is built and the last egg laid, she will die.  All her hope will rest in a series of mud pots.

Dragons of the lake

Insect season is upon us.  And how I love insects and arachnids…

Thankfully, White Rock Lake offers a plethora of critters to be admired, not the least of which happens to be a robust population of dragonflies.

A male swift setwing (Dythemis velox) perched on a twig (2009_06_21_024578)

Swift setwing (Dythemis velox); male

A male widow skimmer (a.k.a. widow; Libellula luctuosa) perched on a twig (2009_06_14_023531)

Widow skimmer (a.k.a. widow; Libellula luctuosa); male

A male blue dasher (a.k.a. swift long-winged skimmer or blue pirate; Pachydiplax longipennis) perched on a reed (2009_06_14_023562)

Blue dasher (a.k.a. swift long-winged skimmer or blue pirate; Pachydiplax longipennis); male

A male eastern pondhawk (a.k.a. common pondhawk or green jacket; Erythemis simplicicollis) resting on the ground (2009_06_07_022710)

Eastern pondhawk (a.k.a. common pondhawk or green jacket; Erythemis simplicicollis); male

A female great blue skimmer (Libellula vibrans) perched on a limb (2009_06_07_022702)

Great blue skimmer (Libellula vibrans); female

A springwater dancer (Argia plana) resting on the ground (2009_06_14_023408)

Springwater dancer (Argia plana)