Critters - what are they?

My first baby steps with extension tubes for macro. Still learning how to balance the extra weight and reduced light, use manual focus and other settings, and catch things in action without locking my knees and/or hips into permanently awkward poses, or falling off precariously balanced chairs into the abyss. Really should have started with something easier like a still life. But where's the challenge in that? So, I have been stalking critters.

I've been watching these little bugs for several weeks. They build honeycomb-like nests in awkward places on my house and seem to live on the outside of them, as there doesn't appear to be anywhere inside the structure for them to go. They are about a centimetre in length and I used to think, rather fondly, that they are some sort of native bee, but I suspect they are probably a wasp. But what sort? And friendly or not to the ecosystem? They seem pretty harmless to humans, going about their business with no more than a tiny little startle when this bloody great lens pokes itself into their space and starts making clicking noises.

Light on the subject was low, backlighting was strong, and sightlines were really quite awkward for this shot, so it has been tweaked a little in the studio.

Life has rather slowed down this month (at last!), and I haven't been working too hard at anything, not even my hobbies. Haven't had much chance to comment on many of others' blips, apologies for that, I'll catch up when I can. Also am behind with my own blips, but have backblipped here.