Honeycomb. I think this is a wasp’s nest, but I’m not sure.*
Knowing I was running out of items, Mr. OP got me this as a gift a week or so ago. I thought it felt apropos to pull it out for Valentine’s.
WP informs me that “the closed ends of the honeycomb cells are also an example of geometric efficiency, albeit three-dimensional and little-noticed. The ends are trihedral (composed of three planes).” There are two different theories as to why a honeycomb is composed of hexagons. I think it’s because bees are smart. Wasps too for that matter.
The pedigree of honey
Does not concern the bee;
A clover, any time, to him
Is aristocracy.
– Emily Dickinson
Status: Returned to the earth.
Kill-ratio: 22:3 / ~7:1
Alt-title: Untitled Object No. 362 For Making Friends With Mathematically Gifted Creatures
Happy Valentine’s Day!
============================================
*Not being an apiarist like my hero Sherlock Holmes, I don’t know if this honeycomb is made from wasps or bees. I suspect wasps. But either way, if you care about the collapse of the bee colonies, check out this information about banning neonicotinoid pesticides.
Lovely photos!! These are from a paper wasp nest. I love these things; have a couple in my studio.
Thanks Sydney. I suspected a wasp one. Your studio sounds like a place to visit…:)
Beautiful photographs, Deanne – I love the way you’ve framed them. That flash shot is pretty spectacular. Happy belated Valentines!
Thanks Richard! I was going to include the flash originally, some old notion I have to let go of , about only using natural light:)
That’s wasn’t:)
What a great looking thing, that is.
Thanks!