Rick pointed it out to me, a completely built Paper Wasp nest in a tree which is along the parking area of our home in Anchor Bay. You can see the small wasps on the outside of their beautifully constructed nest.

The wasps are not as aggressive as yellowjackets or hornets, though they will defend their nest! Luckily the nest is quite high so we will leave it be. Paper wasps are important pollinators and they eat other insects that might be pests in the garden. Something is chewing on my tomato plants' leaves...hint, hint!

A few years ago, a Paper Wasp colony took over a birdhouse on our property, and completely covered the wooden portion. Craig Tooley came over to photograph it.

They create their paper nests by mixing their saliva with dead wood and plant stems to form this papery material. It's quite beautiful, don't you think?

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. This photo of the birdhouse is included in our book, Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year.