RatGMAN Loc: SE Pennsylvania

Took a walk around the Gwynedd Preserve in North Wales, PA and found a few creatures in their environment.
The Chinese Mantis was hanging on the side of a bird blind, staring intently at a bush with flowers I didn't recognize. I got the face shot when it turned to me after hearing my camera snap off a couple of quick shots.
I'm curious about the Pimpla Pedalis Wasp ID? Also would appreciate some help with an ID for the small wasp. Couldn't get a front view of this one.

Chinese Mantis

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Chinese Mantis Face

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A Bug's Life cast member in hiding?

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Large Milkweed Bug Nymphs

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Pimpla Pedalis Wasp

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Pimpla Pedalis Wasp Face

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Need ID help with this small wasp

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Another view of the small wasp

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TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

Excellent pics, Bill. Good work.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Pimpla Pedalis is an Ichneumon wasp, and this one does not look like that sort of wasp to me. Here is a view of that species: http://bugguide.net/node/view/830541 A male will lack the ovipositor, but the abdomen will be pretty different from what you have. The similar colors could easily be a case of mimicry, where the non-stinging Ichneumon is mimicking this wasp.
As to what this could be instead, well I had fun looking around in the thread-waisted wasps (it looked related to the golden digger wasp, which is neat since we were recently discussing that). I came up with Isodontia exornata, which is a 'grass carrying wasp'. What does that mean? I don't know. But see http://bugguide.net/node/view/209508/bgimage .

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

The other one looks like a potter wasp of some sort. Someone can look into that if they want to get something specific. I don't want to steal all the IDs :)

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Bill, these are really well done shots! Great detail.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

tinusbum Loc: east texas

love the mantis close up and the grasshopper!

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Another thing to remark on is that I think you did a good job on the face of the preying mantis in its 2nd picture. A thing I run into with those is that the face seems to be extra reflective, and it can have a big blown out highlight with a flash. But you managed it well here. Perhaps by not using a flash at all? Not sure.

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

All very good, I particularly like the super Mantis head shot and Milkweed bug nymphs.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

The Mantis head shot is great!

toughmandave Loc: The Villages, Florida

I am fairly new to macro photography outdoors. I basically shoot jewelry indoors. Your photographs are beautiful. Can you tell me what mm lens you are using and which extension tube you are using if you are using such. Mono pod or tripod? I have Nikon lenses 40mm, 60mm, 105mm and the three extension tubes. I also have a bellows but I'm sure you aren't using that outdoors not on a tripod. We have a garden in the back yard but the butterflies never land the the dragon flies don't either, at least long enough to take a picture. I also have a macro ring light.

RatGMAN Loc: SE Pennsylvania

Thanks, Tom.

RatGMAN Loc: SE Pennsylvania

I've got to learn to be a little more discerning when I look at BG. I initially Googled "wasp with orange legs" and, after looking at a number of images, was pretty sure I was looking at a Pimpla Pedalis. Then I went to BG and thought, "Yeah, that looks like it". However, when I posted it, I mentioned that I was curious about the ID and was looking for someone to confirm or reject that ID. Thanks for taking the time to do that.

RatGMAN Loc: SE Pennsylvania

Thanks Mark, that gives me a starting point.

RatGMAN Loc: SE Pennsylvania

Thanks, Carol.