Acrobatic Yellow Jackets Feed On Rope

Occurred on September 14, 2018 / Dohr, Germany

Info from Licensor: "I am Lothar Lenz, a passionate nature filmmaker and photographer, fortunate to live in a tranquil village surrounded by forests, fields, and streams. Every summer, my garden transforms into a stage for countless fascinating creatures, with wasps taking a special place in my heart. These often-misunderstood insects, with their intricate behavior and social structures, have become one of my favorite subjects to observe and document.

This summer, I came up with an idea to showcase their incredible agility in a new and captivating way. I suspended small droplets of nutritious liquid from a thin string in a quiet corner of my garden, hoping to attract the wasps. The result was nothing short of spectacular: like skilled high-wire acrobats, the wasps balanced on the delicate string, twisting, climbing upside down, and eventually reaching their prize with astonishing precision.

Watching them was like witnessing an aerial circus performance. Their tiny claws gripped the string tightly, and not even the occasional gust of wind could disrupt their focus. It almost seemed as if they relished the challenge, turning this seemingly simple act into an extraordinary display of balance and dexterity.

But these images and films are more than just visually captivating. They reveal the adaptability and intelligence of these remarkable insects. Wasps often suffer from a poor reputation – seen by many as aggressive and bothersome. Yet moments like these remind us that they are fascinating creatures with an essential role in our ecosystems.

Through these acrobatic scenes, I aim to show not just the beauty of wasps but also to challenge the unfair prejudices against them. Perhaps these high-wire performances in my garden will inspire others to see wasps in a new light – as nature’s marvels deserving of our respect, just like any other species.

As I watched these tiny acrobats master their aerial feats, I couldn’t help but reflect on how the greatest stories in nature often unfold in the smallest and most unexpected moments – right in our own backyards."