That's one of the hazards of mapping in the summer, the yellowjackets. They build their hive in stump hollows in the ground. The slightest disturbance and they aggressively defend their home. Grab a sapling for balance, trip on a root, or step on a wobbly rock that is near the entrance to their burrow and they come boiling out. I've heard that they give a warning butt to the intruder, but there are so many deerflies and horseflies and who knows what else buzzing around that i would never notice it. Then the stinging starts. My reaction is to run, heart pounding and adrenalin pumping. I'd like to shake the hand of the man that could stand still or play dead in the face of yellowjackets.
I got stung five times, on each leg, each arm, and the side of my head. Nothing to do but accept that is going to hurt and suck it up. I think it's better to keep moving than to sit down and cry about it. But I am not allergic to bee stings.
I finally mapped the boulders that are the banner image for the web site. I first photographed them over a year ago, on my very first recon trip to the park. Have they changed any?
Ouch! That smarts! This is not the season for mapping. It will be a few months before I head out for a mapping trip. The bugs are too much for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being such a dedicated mapper!