Red Velvet Ant

This is not the best shot of her, but she was moving SOOO fast! I was so very lucky to get a shot of her at all! I had no idea what she was until Sean did a web search. A wasp really, also know as the Cow Killer, because the female can drop a cow with her sting. The girls have a stinger and no wings, and the guys have wings and no stinger. After learning more I'm so glad I didn't get closer! Amazing who or what you find in your own front yard if only you stop, look, and really pay attention to what you are seeing. Crazy world we live in. For more info...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutillidae

and

http://ferrebeekeeper.wordpress.com/2012/04/11/5048/