A Hornet’s Nest at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge

On November 26th, I came across an impressive hornet’s nest at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. I was riding along the auto tour road with my friend Mia McPherson, a fellow nature photographer, who spotted the nest. It was hanging from the branches of a tree, its intricate swirls of paper-like material catching our attention as we passed by.

This nest was likely built by Bald-faced Hornets (Dolichovespula maculata), a species of aerial yellowjacket. These hornets construct their nests by chewing wood fibers and mixing them with saliva, forming the gray, papery layers that give the nest its distinctive appearance. Their nests are usually located in trees or shrubs, often 10–20 feet above the ground, and can grow quite large to accommodate their colonies.

The location of the nest along the refuge’s auto tour road offered a safe vantage point to photograph it without disturbing the insects. Although the weather was cool and I didn’t see any activity around the nest, it still served as a reminder of the industriousness of these creatures during the warmer months. By late fall, most Bald-faced Hornet colonies die off, leaving only fertilized queens to overwinter.

Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge never disappoints when it comes to surprises. While most people visit the refuge for its abundance of waterfowl, deer, or bald eagles, moments like these highlight the hidden beauty and diversity of life in the area. It’s not just about the larger animals; even something as small as a hornet can leave a mark on the landscape through its incredible craftsmanship.

Thanks to Mia’s sharp eyes, I was able to photograph this unique find. It’s a good reminder to slow down, look up, and take notice of the details in nature that often go overlooked.

If you’re ever driving the auto tour road at Sequoyah, keep an eye out. You never know what you might find. Whether it’s a bald eagle soaring overhead, a deer in the brush, or something as unexpected as a hornet’s nest, the refuge always has something worth photographing.

– Steve Creek

Wildlife Photographer