beesearcher's Identifications

Female in nest entrance, second photo is another nest to show typical form. 105 nests were present along about 100 meters of lightly traveled dirt road, with all the nests in the raised, partly vegetation hump between the wheel ruts. Pitch pine/mixed oak woodland.

Counted about 60 nests at this aggregation - last year there were two other aggregations in the powerline ROW but those appear to be gone, maybe due to the pretty intensive work with heavy machinery done in the ROW by the power company last fall...? Sad to see, as the number of nests has been reduced by probably 60-75%. I'll try and check back in a few days in case there's just some late emergers but they seem to be at peak this time every year so I'm doubtful.