Here is the hornet's nest on 10/18/2009 at 4:41 p.m. It has been ripped open by a critter and it is slowly disintegrating.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning (10/19/2009) at 10:28 a.m. I saw that the hornet's nest had fallen down to the ground during the night. What an intricate assemblage of mud. And to think they did it all without a blueprint!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, October 23, 2009 - For some unknown reason, I decided to take a picture of the hornet's nest on Sunday afternoon. Little did I know at the time, that would be the last time it would be hanging in the tree. And it was hanging by a slim, tenuous stick.

Apparently, when I saw that it was resting on the heavier limb -- a few weeks ago -- that was when the critter must've tried to get into the nest. Must've been a brave and/or dumb animal. I'm thinking raccoon. Although, I've never seen a raccoon in that tree.

It's a puzzle. But it's been an interesting education for me. The hornets never bothered me. In fact, they were up in the tree for a long time before I even saw the nest. Ignorance is bliss, I guess. Some people recommended that I spray it or get rid of it somehow....but everything I read said to just leave them alone.

I do wonder where they went AFTER the nest was compromised??? Maybe they went to Florida for the winter!!! All righty. Hopefully, that will be my LAST critter adventure for a while. see ya later, djb