Pear Poacher

European Hornets (Vespa crabro)

"They're mostly found in southern Massachusetts. Their nests, built in the hollow of a tree or in a structure like a porch or deck, consist of layers of combs within an outer covering. Adults mostly eat nectar and insects, and they will bite into fruit to drink the juice." -Massachusetts Audubon


One of my favorite trees at Dogcorner Cottage is the ancient pear tree. It's visible from the room we sit in the most, my grandparents' favorite room as well. The tree seemed old when I was little, I think it was here when my grandparents bought the house in 1928. It has produced inedible pears now and then, but this year the branches are sagging under the burden of large, rock hard pears. We know these are favorites of the rabbits and sometimes the squirrels. As I was wandering around in search of an interesting photograph this afternoon, I saw quite a sight. I watched a huge hornet, now I know it's a European Hornet, nibbling away systematically around one of the gazillion hanging pears. I watched it gorging on the fruit and shooing off others looking for some bites as well. This hornet can sting several times apparently and looks beautifully ferocious. I kept a wide berth with my 300mm lens.


We have to somehow harvest these pears before the branches break under the weight of these green grenades. They won't explode, but the heads they bounce off might! I think the heavy summer rainfall and the spray our tree service has bestowed upon this old girl has caused her to produce a bounty. I only wish we could eat them. I've tried, but unfortunately, they are mealy and very hard.


For the Record,
This day came in warm and sunny. Merry was thrilled. It cooled off quite a bit by dinnertime. The nights are beginning to close in. I love this time of year. 


All hands wary