Hornets that are the same color as the ground. Was it hard to figure out?
Sounds like yellowjackets.
Hornets don't normally nest in the ground. Yellow Jackets nest in the ground. You can kill them by pouring gasoline in the hole and running.
There are many sites available online where you can see the pictures of the ground hornets nests. Type images to search.
Ground hornets do not have many predators. Bears and other large carnivores are the most likely since they may not be deterred by a few stings.
There are three types of bee that nest in the ground: digger bees, sweat bees and mining bees. These are known collectively as ground bees and are particularly beneficial as pollinators.
The Hornets basketball team originated in Charlotte, North Carolina. The team was named after a quote by General Cornwallis to the effect that the people of Charlotte were fierce like hornets.
Its just a hornet but instead of having stripes, it has a white behind.
Hornets fly using their wings like a wasp.
The might have be hornets who often build their nests in the ground. They also like moist soil which may account for their nest being close to your pond.
Picture of ground zero
Wasps: Has a clearly seen segmented body its abdomen is bigger than its thorax Hornets: Commonly mistaken for a wasp they are a bit longer that a wasp and still segmented Bee: It is fatter and not as segmented as a hornet or wasp Bumble bee: they are big mainly black bee with a bit of yellow to them and look like a pompom.
You like hornets.