As I write this (8/6/25 at 3.52 p.m.) it is 77 degrees F. (25 degrees C). The cooler temperatures have been wonderful, with hardly any humidity. No doubt the temperatures will be rising again but we have been making the most of it.
On the 4th we went to Walney Pond. Above you can see the wasp nest I added to my collage I shared here. Gregg spotted it first - I fondly call him 'eagle eyes' as he sees these things before I do. This nest was at least a foot in diameter and a foot-and-a-half long. Very active as we could see its residents going in and out of entrance holes. It is in a tricky area and is not even ten feet from where everyone walks and low, head-height. We worry about children playing in the area, and have envisioned someone running into it, perish the thought! We have already gotten in touch with the appropriate department at the local government center. Hopefully it will be taken care of soon and we will keep checking as we often pass by. I looked as we drove off. If you know where to look it can be seen quite clearly, but not immediately obvious when closer.
Next we drove to the Visitor Center just up the road.
Common milkweed were growing among all the Black-eyed susans, not only in the flower beds in front of the house...
but also in the separate round butterfly garden.
First I wanted to share something else. I saw a flurry of movement on the steps of the house and if you look on the far right of that first step you will see...
a skink, possibly a five-lined skink which are the most common lizards in northern Virginia, according to what I found out at this website. Please let me know what you think if you check it out.
Beautiful series of photos, Denise. The assassin bug 🐛 is new to me. The wasp nest is huge. They can be pretty aggressive. Thanks 😊 🫂 🙏 so much for sharing your walk, dear friend 🧡
ReplyDeleteHello dear Linda, yes, we need to keep away from those wasp nests don't we? Thank you so much, very happy you enjoyed the photos and you are very welcome :)
DeleteOy, this huge wasp nest!! Even at this distance, I would run and scream! I sure hope they get rid of it soon. You got so many really good photos. My favorite is the two butterflies on the delicate blue flower. And is that a Lotus? The Skink is so well camouflaged! Gregg must have spotted him first.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too Ginny, we will be driving by next week onto other places so will be sure to slow down and take a look. Thank you and not a lotus, it is a very unusually shaped water lily that caught my attention. Yes, I do believe it was Gregg who spotted it first.
DeleteLooks lovely there and the flowers are nice, good to see bees too.
ReplyDeleteThe wasp nest is amazing, hopefully it's removed safely soon.
Thank you Margaret, I love all the flowers and little critters there, even the wasp nest though I stayed well away from those. We will check to see if they have removed the nest in a day or so.
DeleteLovely images Denise, you had a nice walk at the Walney Center.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are beautiful, a cheery sight.
Take care, have a great day!
It was a lovely walk, thank you Eileen :) Definitely a very cheery sight. You take care and have a great day also.
DeleteWasp nests are such intriguing structures, real works of art.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly are, couldn't agree more :)
DeleteThat wasp nest is huge. Hopefully they take care of that one. That is an interesting looking bug on the Black Eyed Susan. I love the look of the visitor center.
ReplyDeleteYes, hopefully it's gone by now. The visitor center is a beautiful old home and privately owned at one time, along with the surrounding land. The last owners donated it to the park authority in their will. I thank them every time we go there :)
DeleteI wouldn’t want to be the person running into that wasp nest. The mere thought of multiple stings makes me shudder!
ReplyDeleteNo indeed, it would be quite horrible and I shudder at the thought too :0
DeleteThank you! I enjoyed observing natural lives in a sunny day.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome and so glad you enjoyed. Thank you for sharing that :)
DeleteThe wildflowers and the insects they attract were lovely Denise, but the wasp's nest was beautiful in its construction and surfacing. That said, they are one of the insects that I fear the most.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, wasps especially give one the shudders but fortunately I have never had a problem with them :)
DeleteIt's beautiful and relaxing....I would stay away from that wasp nest...
ReplyDeleteThank you Angie, most definitely :)
DeleteI'm impressed by the intricate pattern of the wasp nest. They make nests here but nothing like this. Beautiful flowers.
ReplyDeleteIt is the first time I have seen one up close like this, close being as far as my zoom lens. I stayed well back. Thank you Sandra :)
DeleteI've never seen that pattern on any wasp nest. Usually they don't bother you unless you disturb them in some way.
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting design, I agree :) and good to know.
DeleteYou have lots of eagle eye photos today! That wasp nest is amazing and scary, too. Great shots! Happy day to you and Gregg, Denise.
ReplyDeleteI do Ellen and thank you :) I wish you and your Greg a happy day also
DeleteWonderful photos :-D Wasps are such intelligent little things. Their nest amaze me too. I had one on the outside of my window and just let nature take its course. It was interesting to watch them. They had a few run ins with the local spiders too!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that Ananka, thank you very much :) That would be very interesting to observe.
DeleteYikes to the wasp's nest. I would never have guessed that's what it was. It's huge.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are beautiful.
Very much so Sandra :) Yes it was a shock toe how big that nest was. I also agree about the flowers.
DeleteDenise what a wonderful post full of surprises. i can honestly say I have never seen a wasp nest that close up...
ReplyDeleteLove the Sunflowers
Hugs Cecilia
Thank you Cecilia, I am very happy you enjoyed my post and those sunflowers :) I have seen small paper wasp nests inside the light attached to our house near the back door but have never seen anything like this before. Those were a different type of wasp I believe :) sending hugs xoxo
DeleteLovely photos, and what wonderful textures on that nest!
ReplyDeleteVery much on the textures, thank you Christine :)
DeleteTodo favorece el paseo. la temperatura es agradable y la vista se alegra con esas preciosas flores.
ReplyDeleteSaludos.
Muchas gracias, fue un paseo maravilloso en ese entorno :)
DeleteI don't like wasps and hope that nest can be safely dealt with, but have to say their nests are a work of art.
ReplyDeleteYou've shared some beautiful photographs.
All the best Jan
Thank you Jan, I very much appreciate that. Not many do like wasps I am thinking Jan :) I hope it has been removed by the time we go back. All the best to you too.
DeleteOh my, that wasp nest is huge! Love the black eyed Susan's! Looks like a sweet couple of skippers on those flowers! We have skinks here in Georgia too, so happy to enjoy nature! Now, those wasps, let us know what happens.
ReplyDeleteHello Kay :) it certainly is and I was also happy to photograph the skippers. Nature brings us a lot of happiness and yes, I will definitely let you know what happens about the wasp nest.
DeleteGreat excursion into nature, Denise. I enjoyed sharing it with you.
ReplyDeleteWonderful, thank you David, so glad you enjoyed this :)
DeleteLovely nature sightings- There are Skinks only in the south of Portugal but we often see enormous wasps nests on the farm. Lovely shots of the flowers and butterflies- and the assassin bug is an interesting insect.. Pretty view of the Visitor Center with an impeccable lawn. Very enjoyable post thank you.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Weekend
Sonjia.
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How interesting Sonjia :) thank you, the house and surroundings are very well taken care of. Always a joy to visit. A great weekend to you too. I am so happy you enjoyed my post.
DeleteOh my, that's a huge wasp nest. Very interesting to look at. The lizards have always been creepy to me. Thankfully, I don't see them in the mountains. The field of black-eyed susans is so pretty. And I love that photo of the bee spending time on this cheerful flower.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
It certainly is Sheri :) Thank you! I am happy you enjoyed the little bee especially. I agree, they are very cheerful flowers :)
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