Golden Hunting Wasp

Look- blue sky!

The hunting wasp looks more red from this angle, but its wings are golden. Often it is no more than a flash of gold. I was lucky to capture it on top of the fennel flowers. The wasp was not after nectar, but hunting beneath the flowers for spiders to paralyse and add to her nursery. They move in rapid jerks and it is difficult to get more than just bits in a shot. Sphictostethus nitidus, endemic to New Zealand.

These wasps are very strong. Here is a short video I made of one dragging a big spider over the loose sawdust on my greenhouse path.

This morning was a rare clear one, with even a view of the mountains. I find it reassuring when the clouds occasionally lift to reveal them. Mostly they are hidden.