Tarantula Hawk Wasp Digging Nest on Colorado River

I came across this Tarantula Hawk Wasp (probably officially a Pepsis thisbe, the most common type in the Grand Canyon) as she was digging a burrow near the mouth of Waterholes Canyon, between Lee's Ferry and Glen Canyon Dam, on the Colorado River.

I forgot to mention my theory about what was causing all the noise. I believe she was rapidly beating her wings against the roof and sides of the burrow to loosen dirt for easy removal (and perhaps firm up the walls at the same time?).

Also see my video Tarantula Hawk Finds Her Prey, in which I film one as she drags around a Tarantula she has paralyzed: Tarantula Hawk Finds Her Prey

Also see these related companion videos:

Waterholes Canyon flows into the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Lee's Ferry, Arizona. I took my solar kayak up river from Lee's Ferry, and saw wild horses, Desert Big Horn Sheep, a Tarantula Hawk Wasp digging it's burrow, slept under the stars and heard a mesmerizing nighttime soundscape of frogs, toads and insects, was a wakened by a murder of crows, wondering what the heck I was doing in their world, at 4:30 am, and took a great hike up Waterhole Canyon. This is the summary video for the trip, but be sure to check out these additional videos from the experience.

Soothing Night Sounds on the Colorado River:
Soothing Night Nature Sounds on the C...

Waterholes Canyon Solar Kayak Trip: Waterholes Canyon Solar Kayak Trip Ju...

More info: https://www.nps.gov/articles/tarantul...