Yellowjackets

 The Wise Woman and I were walking through the park when the enormous dog disturbed an underground nest of southern yellowjackets, Vespula squamosa.

I was on the other end of the leash and saw the swarm rise. I’d been stung by yellowjackets before but had never seen a swarm rise. The density of insects coming out of an inch-wide hole in the ground is hard to describe.

Researchers at Texas A&M University say nests can contain 4,000 workers.

The Wise Woman escaped, and my efforts to get the yellowjackets off the dog were mostly successful. He came out better than I did. I think I was stung 18 times. I’m taking it easy for a day or two.