Hornet on Gower Peninsula

Chinch Gryniewicz http://www.chinch-gryniewicz.com/ wrote ...
'Now, there was an opportunity - and i missed it, or did I? Yesterday evening, coming home and into my living room, i found myself in the company of a queen Hornet (Vespa crabro) trying to get out of the closed window! never seen one before. what an extraordinary sight - very close to two inches long and vibrating with life, intensity and purpose. As all external doors and windows were closed, I imagine the following: This week gone we have just started replacing my old roof, a lot of banging, hammering, ripping out old stuff has been going on and I wonder whether she was disturbed from up there, having overwintered or perhaps even already considering building a new nest up there. I stared at her in awe with a fast beating heart for some considerable time and then was so intent on moving her safely out of the house, carrying her a good way away from my home down into the woods, that it wasn't until I finally saw her flying off into the dusk that I realized "oh no, didn't take a picture....". Unbelievable, isn't it. so much for the always prepared photographer. But you know what - and i have felt this numerous times before: Sometimes the absence of a camera is a good thing. It often seems that when there is a camera between me and the 'object'  that this somehow diminishes the impact of the immediate experience. There is too much concern about getting a good 'record', the camera becomes a subtle barrier between me and 'it', emphasizing our separateness. When the camera is not there, I often find that my connection to what I have stumbled across is much more raw and emotional and leaves a far deeper impression, reverberating in my mind for a long time. It doesn't become a picture, but a real encounter and a powerful and lasting memory to treasure. Part of me is really glad that i missed this 'picture', but oh boy, am I glad to have met this queen Hornet.
Will I leave the camera in the bag next time? Well, we'll see, I'd certainly recommend it once in a while.'

[As far as I am aware this is the first occurrence of Hornet on the peninsula]