It’s been a late entry into the hiking season: a chilly wet spring followed by a long summer cold put me off my usual stride. And my primary human hiking buddy had one knee replaced in the spring and was just feeling good enough to go out last Sunday. We did a short hike on the east side of Mt Hood, one of those hikes that’s been long on our must-do list, but a short enough hike with a 95-mile drive to never have enticed us before: Tamanawas Falls.
The waterfall at the end of the trail was nice, and mist rising from a bowl is welcome in the heat, but it was not as fabulous as many we’ve seen. The wildflowers were good, but not great, although in another week the avalanche lilies will be gone, and the queens’ cups, too. And there was plenty of lupine and bunch berry, and twin flower and other pretty flowers, too.
We were rewarded with a wonderful display of rock in one spot especially, and I was fortunate to spot a paper wasp nest with a most unusual entry. I’m guessing the long neck may serve some unknown-to-me function, but am not sure what it is. Keep out predators? Serve as a better conditioning modulator when the nest bakes in the hot sun?
What surprised me most, after the length of the nest’s neck, was the size of the wasp. He (she?) was huge! I’d say the size of the end of my thumb, from joint to nail. I was astounded he (she?) could tuck in and climb the neck of the nest!
(Click through a few times to get to larger photos.)
The close up in the middle picture is just about to full size! The wasp was quite beautiful, and very fuzzy as well as surprisingly large. I’d say half again as large as a yellow jacket. I don’t think it is a European paper wasp because it was not smooth coated. I’m guessing she must be a she and the queen. It’s a little difficult to find online sources for particular kinds of wasps or hornets — most of the time you get taken to a extermination site. What I have found don’t look like this one. Strange and interesting.
The rock formations are beautiful, too. Such a dynamic place, this stratovolcano, dormant for over 200 years, but not without life.
Coincidentally I am reading John McPhee’s Annals of the Former World. It is slow going but delightful. I just wish I could remember a fraction of what I am reading.
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AAAAACCCKKKK! I am itching all over just from the PICTURE of that wasp!!
Oooh. Sorry about that. She is quite beautiful, though. And quite an expert builder. :-)
Hi.
i love your pics of the rocks/ nest. i’ve never seen a nest like that before. very interesting. but, why no pics of the waterfall? i’d love to have seen it.
glad you got to go hiking again. you always have such beautiful photos to share. sorry about the knee replacement your hiking companion had. hope it’s healed well.
sorry for my long absence. i’ve been busy with family, etc… hope all is well.
Thanks, N. The waterfall wasn’t a good one for a photo: wrong time of day, misty on the camera lens. But I will post it soon regardless. I heard from a smart bug guy I know via the ‘nets that this is a queen just starting her nest. The long tunnel will soon be covered.