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thrumyeye β Vespa
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Published: 2008-09-22 19:04:27 +0000 UTC; Views: 3343; Favourites: 147; Downloads: 0
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Description
Hornets, like many social wasps, can mobilize the entire nest to sting in defense: this is highly dangerous to humans. The hornet alarm pheromone is used to raise alarm of nest attack, and to identify prey, for example bees.Materials that come in contact with pheromone, such as clothes, skin, dead prey or hornets, must be removed from the vicinity of the hornets nest. Perfumes, and other volatile chemicals can be falsely identified as pheromone by the hornets and trigger attack.
Well....when I took this photograph I was surrounded by hornets, with my cam and face just a few inches away from them.
I must admit my hands were trembling - they look rΓ©ally impressive from up close, but I didn't (want to?) know how risky this actually was...
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Comments: 48
where did you take these octopus shots btw?
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Very nice photo and especially, given the circumstance.
Once, walking through a field, I tracked through a mud wasp nest and was stung 4 times (and that was lucky). While sleeping, I felt something crawling on my foot, under the blanket and was then bitten by a yellow jacket...they had a nest in the walls and always found a way in. Next, I was stung by a wasp while driving in a car, just above my eye. Swollen, I could hardly blink after that. Throw in a few bee stings as well (once on the palm of my hand (ouch!). I also almost ate a yellow jacket that was on my chicken and my cousin saved my freakin life there, she screamed "Don't eat that!!!" I was not looking at my food, there was a hornet that was about to let me eat it with the chicken. I almost drank 2 hornets in my Soda can that I literally did not leave for more than 5 minutes, until I caught a sound of them struggling to get out. If I'd have taken this photo, the whole colony would have been after me lol. Wasps, bees, and hornets love me.
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Haha, you lucky you...:/ Great story though!
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What can I say...I am equally loved by all insects
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hi,
this photograph has been featured in Animals A to Z vol 2 [link]
thanks for sharing the deviation here
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I am so scared of them, I think I would drop dead.
I'm shaking just looking at the picture, you're very brave.
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Awesome! He Reminds Me Of Ironman! ^_~
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I think they are beautiful too but for me I could wound up in a hospital if I got bitten by one of them. I am highly allergic to these fascinating creatures.
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Oh I think I would never go that close to a hornet. ^^
Although I didn't know that there are also red/yellow hornets. I only know the black/yellow ones.
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Is it resting on an octopus tentacle? Looks it. You're damn brave for getting this close to a hornet
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This is an excellent shot. I love the octopus - that's rather unusual. The hornet seems to like it, though.
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Wow! You got an awesome shot with awesome details! It looks very impressive
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woah! sweet, but I'm not a very big fan of bugs... *shivers uncontrolably*
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My goodness you're brave to approach a swarm of hornets! I didn't know this is what they looked like O.O They're beautiful but deadly I'd imagine. (I've never been stung by a hornet)
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Oh so that's what it is! Here is my hornet picture. Didn't know what it was at the time, and yeah, i crapped myself taking it. [link]
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Absolutely incredible shot! Perfectly focused and at such great personal risk!
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up close they look so innocent, graceful...even cute?
startling image, with the octopus tentacle. it's beautiful.
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I hope I am not the only one who notices the fact that that hornet looks like Ironman
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I was totally gonna say that! XD
Beware Iron Hornet! Protecting his fellow kind from the dark intent of wandering perfume wearers!
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Wow, really great shot. I wish I had the opportunity to shoot them from that close. Well maybe not...
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beautiful shot! and you really did take a risk getting up close, i personally have traumas from stumbling upon a hornets' nest. seven stings cause enough pain for a while
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I curse you for not being stung! No fair! 2 Fridays ago I was stung by a yellow jacket. Hurt like hell. Hm. Maybe I should where I put my hand...
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There is something quite quite awesome about this. Using a tentacle just lifts this from a nature shot into something altogether more deliberate and unique. Stunning.
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I must say you're pretty brave to go in for this shot... but it's a great one. 
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They really are beautiful creatures, they look like they're made of Amber
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beautiful. I just got into macro so I am enjoying it even more when I see others. I tremble to when I get to close to some of the hornets.
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Oh my god.... I hate insect so much 
But itΒ΄s a great capture.
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Something with these hornets and octopusses? I saw a whole bunch (10-15?) of them feasting on one when I was in Crete. Didnt have my camera with me at the time though ><
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Octopus is yummeh! ^_^
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Is it on an... octopus ?
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Whoa! And I've always thought that this "mobilizing pheromone" was just made up by horror movie writers. Really amazing!
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great focus/composition/subject!
what exactly is it doing?
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Devouring an octopus
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Oh whew, I thought it was a human jaw.
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XD It's the nest while it's still wet with their saliva! Ha ha ha...it does look like an octopus leg though.
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Wait...is that an octopus leg!? Where the hell did it get that!?
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