There are days when all we have to do is to look up to find a little gratitude. Let’s face it, few of us find gratitude when a hornet buzzes us. But, noticing this work of art high in a tree is a real gift.
Okay, so I’m going to be really honest here. About the only thing I know about hornets is to stay away from them. Luckily, my sister-in-law was here for the weekend — she knows bugs and insects. In fact, that is her work. She studies ants and spiders and other little creatures that most of us think of smashing on sight. I had no idea she had such an affinity for bugs and the like until I found a spider building a web in a corner of the garage several years ago. For some reason I thought her first love — and her work — involved plants and flowers.
Well, back to this work of art. Hornets are not among the most friendly of creatures in nature, so perhaps, it is best to admire their work from afar. That said, I have been mesmerized by the nest. Everyday it increases in size. What is most interesting is the way it increases. The growth is methodical and uniform, always leaving the perfect opening for the inhabitants to go and come.
I have no idea what is so important about hornets. I’m sure there is something positive about their existence. I just do not know what it is — unless it is to create natural art. Talking to my sister-in-law I learned that they outer nest is made of paper — that’s what it is called. At first I was left to wonder if these little things were recycling. As it turns out, according to my sister-in-law, they scrape bark off tress, chew it and make it into a paper product that they work around the nest. Too bad my effort at papier mache did not work as well!
Anyway, I have enjoyed watching the progress of this nest. It is a true beauty in nature. Now, I am wondering how long it will be before these insects (they are insects, aren’t they?) will abandon the nest and begin again in another location. For today, I am thankful the hornet collective decided to decorate my tree. There is always a gift from nature. Sometimes we need to only look up to find a moment of joy.
