Return of the Prodigal?

A Black-and-Yellow Mud Dauber, Sceliphron caementarium, in the Back 40 today while I was watering parched plants. It was checking out the moist concrete, perhaps looking for a drink or some mud. I’ve noticed these wasps since the local nest started erupting last month, but they are very brief visitors. They probably don’t go far, as long as there is water and nectar. And of course spiders — but you know what they say: there are spiders within three feet of wherever you are, baring, perhaps, a few airlocks in orbit.

Sorry about the crappy shot. I’ll try again. But hopefully you get a sense of the gorgeous combination of black and yellow and that crazy waist.

Like most wasps, these are unlikely to sting bipeds like us.

I hope one of them builds a nest under back here again this year. I feel like a proud foster-parent.