Ewww, yellow-jackets. Those things are nasty! They seem to actually enjoy stinging you late in the year, as if they're suicidal and they want to go out causing as much pain as possible!
Did you use a particular apple for cider, or is it a mix? Some of the orchards out here do cider with, say, just Honey Crisp apples. I like the blends best, myself. It looks like you had fun, despite the rain. Maybe because of the rain keeping those little Stingers (stinkers?) at bay?