If your wondering what this strange looking beast is, its a hornet.

They seem to like it here because there's lots of insects to hunt. Wasps seem to be a favourite.

Early in the spring they took over a wasp colony, presumably eating all they found, and since then they are the apex insect predator around here.

They sound pretty frightening when they pass by (like a moped with an exhaust problem), but they mean us humans no harm at all.

Intelligent creatures, they are active day and night (when like moths they are attracted to light). They are also awesome hunters. Yesterday I saw one pick a wasp off our grapes and fly off with it.It grabbed the wasp from behind so it could not be stung.

These insects seem to have evolved complex stategies for capturing prey, when its off guard and focused on something tasty.

Another wonder of nature.