My Lamma Forums

[Anonymous Guy]

Not a great shot I know..... but thought I'd share it anyway.

Was clearing some undergrowth in the garden & came across this Killer Wasp Nest...... except I didn't know it.
Before I realised what had happened, at least half a dozen had attacked the top of my head....... as I turned and ran headlong downhill, pulling them out of my hair, I stumbled on a root and plummetted into the base of a tree, twisting my ankle for good measure.
Gathering myself I ran for the house still tugging my attackers away from my scalp.
I reached the house & plunged my heads under the shower to get the last of them out.

I'm sitting here now with what seem like a hundred interconnecting golf ball size lumps on my head, although in reality is probably only half a dozen or so.
My head is throbbing , my neck has stiffened up from the poison, and my ankle is the size of a beachball.

Anyway, went back & found the nest, but couldn't get a clear shot...... so needed to do a bit of gardening to get a better shot.
Found that every time I cleared a little foliage, the wasps would all troop out to check for intruders. Sending out occasional sorties in my direction.
I was a little squeamish by this time..... so this is about the best shot I could get, given the circumstances.... but I think portrays a little of their menace.

Moral of the story..... nature photographers should wear tin hats..


Nikon D200 w/Nikkor VR 70-200mm F/2.8 G
2007/07/28 14:56:48
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Spot
1/60 sec - F/2.8
Exposure Comp.: -0.3 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Optimize Image: Custom
White Balance: Auto
AF Mode: AF-C
Flash Sync Mode: Front Curtain
Auto Flash Mode: Built-in TTL
Auto Flash Comp: -2.3 EV

[Lamma-Gung]

Thank you for this home page-worthy story and picture!

I hope you're feeling better and have taken good medical care of these potentially very dangerous stings.

True artist have to suffer for their art... that's what they say...

All your fantastic bee/wasp shots over the years and never stung before, I believe? Such a long streak of care and good luck, it had to run out someday...

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

[Chav Darwin]

Hope the stings have gone down. Had a similar experience with a wasps nest up in Tai Peng while trying to cut a bamboo which had an unnoticed nest attached to it. The wasps were smaller and browner, and i only got three or four stings, but they still had a very powerful message for anyone not to get too close or disturb their peace.

[Nancy]

A-G, sorry to hear of your misfortunes; hope you heal quickly. That is a beautiful nest, though. Thanks for risking your head again for the picture.

[jimmi james]

Greetings
having recently been stung(again) and used this method i can attest to its great efficiency.
The plant is common in HK and is called "Plantago major" the chinese call it "Che Cheen Cho" which means "infront of the cart grass".Sorry no photo but sure u can find one online.
Chew a clean few leaves in the mouth and once pulped up and mixed with saliva it can be used to press on the sting....it will draw out much poison and is soothing.Use the front of your mouth and try not to swallow.
Plant is non poisonous and is used by people ,in China at least, as a sorta diuretic most uses i have heard involved bed wetting kids!
Most often found on disturbed dry ground and often in the cracks in the paths.

It does do the job and i can highly recommend it.


Peace
JJ

[Anonymous Guy]

An old image.......