Worst Fears Realized - Yellowjacket Attack!

I have always had an intense fear of bees and wasps (a psychological condition known as apiphobia). People who know me say that I would jump off a cliff to escape a bee. Birding has helped me overcome my phobia to some extent, but I still have an irrational fear that has always been disproportionate to the actual threat. Well it was irrational...until yesterday, that is.

Tuesday afternoon I had just finished mowing the lawn and was using a line trimmer to cut weeds when I disturbed a yellowjacket nest by our front fence. It was underground, and I had no idea that it was even there until I felt the stinging. By the time I realized what was happening they were swarming all around me. I dropped the trimmer and ran. Luckily most of their fury was directed at the trimmer, which was still running, and I got away with only a few stings. It could have been a lot worse. I had already ridden over the nest with the mower, and I'm just surprised that I wasn't attacked sooner.

From an Ohio State University fact sheet on yellowjackets:
"Be careful not to cut weeds or run the lawnmower over a ground nest nor disturb a nest in a tree or eaves of the home. Any noise and disturbance will sometimes infuriate and provoke painful stinging."

Had I known about the nest that advise would have been more useful. Next time I'll try to be more observant. After the attack I went back and sprayed poison into the nest, but future infestations are to be expected. A couple of years ago I found and exterminated another colony only a few yards from this one.

In bird news...

Earlier on Tuesday I heard a strange whistled call coming from pines across the road. When I went to investigate I found 3 Mississippi Kites there - two adults and a juvenile. Once again I've got good evidence that they've nested somewhere in the neighborhood.