Those who have followed my photography, know one of my favorite areas to shoot is along the Dry Canyon Trail centrally located on the north side of Redmond, Oregon. The trail is more than three miles long and winds through typical high desert lands with high desert plants and creatures.
When I arrive at the bottom of the canyon, my eyes immediately go into scan mode, watching everything which happens around me. A little less than a month ago, I was glad I was in scan mode.
I had been watching a beetle walk around a sage plant when I caught something flying by out of the corner of my eye. I glanced in the direction of the movement and noticed a Thread-waisted Wasp sitting in a nearby sage plant where it landed. But it didn't look quite right.
At first I thought the wasp had a stick in its mouth. As I looked closer and watched, the wasp began to move around with the "stick." It was then I noticed the "stick" was actually a caterpillar, most likely that of the Common Oak Moth. Curious, I continued to shoot and watch in an effort to find out what was happening.
One of the things I was most curious about, was the caterpillar wasn't putting up any type of resistance. I assumed the wasp had stung it or bit it and it was now incapacitated. Then the wasp dropped to the ground, still holding the caterpillar.
As I tried to get into position for a photo, the wasp began to back up. It was then I noticed a nearby hole and realized the wasp was moving towards it.
While trying to get into good photo position, I realized the wasp had repositioned the caterpillar. It had moved around to the back side of the caterpillar and was now dragging it backwards towards the hole. The last I saw of the wasp was its head. I then watched him drag dinner down the hole and disappear from sight.
Had I not been watching the going-ons around me, I never would have witness an everyday happening in nature. And by being in the right place at the right time, I was able to bring it to everyone through Misty's wonderful and fun,
Camera Critter Meme.
