A Wasp by Any Other Name

Several years ago at III, I learned about an insect called a carpenter bee, a creature that drills a hole into wooden structures like decks and barns.  They were huge ol' things and can damage the structure and Himself conducted an all out war against the critters.

Yesterday I saw a new bee or wasp.  It looked like a two-toned bug, double bodied.  Today, Himself informed me that these things are called Cicada Killers.  I thought he was telling stories but he dared me to look it up . . . and I did . . . and they were.  They are called Cicado Killers (but official name is Digger Wasps).

These wasps make their nests by burrowing into the ground.  You can find the nests by looking for very fine soil mounded up by a sidewalk or in a flower bed.

And honestly, these wasps seek out and attach Cicadas!  Himself says he remembers them as a child one hot dry summer . . . but I have never ever heard of them!  Himself has seen three or four cicadas attacked and carried off down the burrows of the Cicada wasps in these last two days.  I have not seen that happen yet but I did see the Cicada wasp carrying a critter as big as himself and had ample time to look it over.  CK was in no big hurry.  However, these are not my pictures . . . only borrowed from the internet.   

Honestly, I have to wonder where these Cicada wasps hang out and survive in those summers

They returned!

If only they could talk!  If only they would tell us where they were for 24 hours!  I imagine they went to their Nana's house for a visit, now that they are fed and stronger.  I think their Mama took them on a trip to visit their grandparents. 

Gone for 24 hours and now back, just like they had never been away.  PaPa got a photo op with Blondie and Dotty.  Charlie is shyer and doesn't like the lime light.   Mama isn't so bashful but she's been in the background today.

Anyway, all is good.  The Kits are back and I can come home from work and ask, "how are the kids?"  !!!!

The unexpected

I didn't know for a while, but PaPa has spent some of the summer watching a Mama Cat and her 4 kitties.  Eventually . . . about the time I became aware of how PaPa's heart was leaning, there were only three kittens. 

I have thought about this quite a bit.  PaPa was pained and bothered having a cat in the house.  Of course, PaPa didn't bond with that cat as a kitty.   Also, PaPa is at home by himself much of the day and perhaps he is not such a loner as he would like us (and him) to think.  Perhaps these kitties give him someone to talk to and to keep him company.  (And especially, maybe he had someone to talk to that didn't sass back and wasn't grumpy ; ( 

PaPa went out and bought cat food and started to fatten Mama Cat and the three little kittens.  And today, they are gone!  Disappeared!  Vanished!

We miss them!  We want them to come back.  We'll pay the ransom!  

So many questions.  Did PaPa fatten them up and strenghten them, just to have them pack up and go home?  Did something get them?  Did Mama go away and tell the kids not to leave the big shed until she got back? 

Cross your fingers . . .

Send prayers for their safe return. 

I'll let you know immediately, if they come "home"