If camouflage is her game, her wings match all the parched and brown leaves in our drought-stressed yard.
The rain predicted last night fizzled and long-term forecasts show only average or less-than-average rainfall predicted for the rest of autumn, so our mantis will continue to blend right in. Rick shot this photo for me. We were on the front porch when we saw her moving up the brick wall. I grabbed the camera, but by the time I returned she had already climbed out of my reach. With just the macro lens on the camera I was sorta-outa-luck, but I gave the camera to Rick and told him to aim at the bug, click, and pray. It worked!
p.s. In another shot (not quite so stellar) I could clearly see she had six segments on her belly, so I think that makes her a female. From past reading, I remembered females have six segments and males have eight.
Beautiful shot! Praying mantises are always interesting. A few years ago we had a veritable colony of them on our front bushes. I had a lot of fun photographing & interacting with them. It was always amusing when they would look directly at the camera
ReplyDelete: )
Very nice! I have never seen one of these before, except in pictures. Such an interesting creature.
ReplyDeleteThese things are so funky! I'd love to meet one in real life.
ReplyDeleteFun shot and like the identity info. You have to be fast.I was shooting a snail and even it ws moving fast enough to keep changing angles.Some people buy mantis eggs and add to their garden for pest control.I would just enjoy watching them.
ReplyDeletevery cool pix Kelly. I have neverseen on myself except in films and pixs. You got an incredible photo here.
ReplyDeleteCool shot! I haven't seen a mantis yet this summer. I guess you have the same drought we do since it is all along the Ohio River. I keep praying for rain!
ReplyDeleteHi Kelley...Today we are up to 80degrees already (11:30)!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tropical feeling(weird) after all this fall in Maine!!
It has rained a little everyday for a week, so where getting caught up a little...hope we don't get dumped on this winter!!
I used to see Praying Mantis every summer but haven't in a long time!
It is amazing how big they are!!
Great angle on that shot.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly.
ReplyDeleteGreat spur of the moment shot of th Mantis. You just never know what is going to turn up. do you?
Have a good weekend.
I'd have done the same Kelly, as I'm 5ft2" and my hubby is 6ft3"! (-:
ReplyDeleteI wish we had those over here. They're amazing looking beasties!
Looks like she forgot to apply her sunscreen religiously? :c)
ReplyDeleteStellar shot, Kelly! I can't remember when I last saw a praying mantis. Their camouflage is so good, that you miss them unless they are on a background that gives them away.
ReplyDeleteWow she's a little beat up, but they are still gorgeous insects!
ReplyDeleteNice Kelly! I was out a few weeks ago and came across a Praying Mantis and struggled a bit to get this amazing insect in focus. It blended so well with the grass it was on. I need to update and post this. They are too cool!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting and pictures, love it!
ReplyDelete