Golden Warrior

Face to face with a yellow jacket—every detail sharp and alive. I captured this striking macro with my Nikon Z6ii, bringing its armored stripes, fine hairs, and jewel-dark eyes into full focus. Often labeled a nuisance, these fierce little hunters play a vital ecological role by preying on pests and helping keep insect populations balanced. This close encounter reveals the wild precision and unexpected beauty of a creature we rarely see this intimately.