Thursday, August 25, 2011

Wasp Influx

We noticed this nest a couple of weeks ago, building just off the deck in a large spruce. I'm probably going to be waiting til December or so before taking some action. Ah warm August nights, now and then. Evenings we used to while away the hours playing games like capture the flag, hide-n-seek and as we got older, even kissing hide-n-seek. Those were fun nights with 20 or so kids in our backyard. One time mid-hide-n-seek, I was 'it', and everyone had scattered. One by one I captured the young, stupid kids, who liked to giggle and always hid in the obvious places: like behind the Jones' house, in the tall grass, 1/2 way down the bottle dump and even up trees. All of a sudden, I heard a (really) bloodcurdling scream that went on forever, it seemed. Off to the left, Eddie flew out of a large hole, just behind third base. This was not normal, even for Eddie. His face was bright red, his mouth open mid-scream and his pants were around his ankles. Girls or not he was streaking around our backyard being trailed by hundreds of hornets. He was yelling and slapping and we, his countless buddies, were helpless to render aid. After a minute or so the swarm dissipated, and Mom came running down the hill to his aid. Days after, we all laughed about it, and for years the image of Eddie in his tighty-whities running around the yard, every which way, was a picture we just couldn't shake. Eddie's probably looking down on me today, sitting on a stone step in front of the big candy store in the sky. He's got his stack of Mad Magazines and Archie comics at his side, an Italian 1/2 eaten and his Pepsi at the thirst-quenching ready. I'm sure swear words are flying out of his mouth (fyi- he might very well be in the WARM place) to beat the band for sharing this across the world. Sorry pal, but I just couldn't resist it, one more time. Rest easy my friend!

23 comments:

  1. Poor little guy... He's probably sitting on that pink cloud laughing at your (or cussing you) at this moment!!!!! ha ha

    That is one huge wasp's nest... Think I'd get some professional help to get that one down... Yipes!!
    Betsy

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  2. Great story and very interesting picture!

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  3. vu la taille du nid de guepe, il va falloir faire appel au sapeur pompier

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  4. Oh boy, that's a big one.

    And a great story!

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  5. fast eddie kicked the hornet's nest...hmmm...this has dramatic possibilities, don't you think. super post, bird.

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  6. One of the most unusual memorial I have read!

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  7. Looks like a HUGE nest! I wouldn't have gotten that close. And a funny story too. :)

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  8. Brings back memories of my childhood. Back in 1960 I was in Denver, CO. having open heart surgery. My younger brother was back in Rapid City, S.D. doing his usual...getting in to things. We had a huge football shape and sized hornets nest up in a pine tree. He decided to try to put an arrow through it. One of his friends was under the nest which was at least 20' up. My 11 year old brother hit it dead center and the hornets headed straigt for his friend. Stings were given out but not many. When we moved from there a couple of years later the arrow and nest were still in the tree.

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  9. I'm really not sure how anyone survives childhood . . .

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  10. Probably a good idea to wait to get rid of this nest. You made me think of the time I was going to harvest and old dried-out ear of corn. I folded back the dried leaves around the where the corn cob should have been and out flew a whole bunch of very unhappy wasps. Not a pleasant situation.

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  11. One more great story and a very interesting picture!

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  12. Hilarious Birdman, and I'm sure your friend 'up there' would have enjoyed it as much as we did!! You need help with that wasps nest, I know, had the same thing!!

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  13. Too funny. That is an impressive nest.

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  14. A very funny post today. I suspect Eddie enjoyed it, too, and is showing it to his current colleagues . . . if internet reception is good where he is.

    Thanks for your wishes this morning.

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  15. What an amazing nest! So different from those I see here.

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  16. Poor Eddie - I am sure he would be pleased that you think of him!

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  17. Eddie in his tighty-whities would probably be laughing too and wishing you well from his vantage point. I imagine that he has entertained many over the years with this story (although he may have left out the tighty-whitie part!)

    Bises,
    Genie

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  18. That's pretty funny, but I feel a little sorry for poor Eddie somehow.

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  19. Birdman -- if Eddie were here I am sure he would be laughing at you publishing this event. A sign of endearment is to remember our old dear friends in sweet and sometimes fun loving ways.

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  20. I agree I'm sure Eddie grins when he thinks back on this incident. As for that hornet nest, I hate those things. I've had my share here in the midwest.

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