Ed put up our Halloween decorations about two weeks ago (yes... he is crazy) and this fella (below) resides in a bush on the side of the house. I always get a laugh when I see it, not sure why, but he cheers me. Late this morning, I wandered by the side of our home and Ed was there. He pointed out that someone had moved into bush-man's shirt.
I ran for my camera (well... not ran, but I walked briskly) and cautiously snapped a shot. All the while, sending mental messages to this lady telling her that I only want to admire and fawn over her... and snap a couple shots.
She graciously turned her head so that I could peer into her eyes... the black pinpoint pupils amazed me. The praying mantis is my friend, and they are not sparse in my garden, but I have never gazed into the eyes of one. Normally, they turn their heads away or keep their heads down, or perhaps I just never noticed. This regal gal she looked at me dead on; she let me take several shots (and they all turned out poorly); and she let me come as close as possible without touching her. An honor, that.
An honor also... because upon further examination it became clear that she is indeed moving in for the time being. Her swelling belly leads me to surmise her gender and suspect that soon there will be baby mantises (mantii?) tucked inside bush-man's shirt.
Wonder at this is what I call prayer. Peaceful blessings.
I do love seeing a praying mantis, but I've never seen one in the wild. What a blessing it would be to have one as beautiful as that stare at you ^^ Lucky you <3s
Very cool ... I've never actually seen one in nature.
I saw my first one up close not too long ago in my back yard. I'd never seen one in my area before.
I love praying mantises. You should move that guy to the hot tub for the winter and the babies can hatch in the spring and feast on the hot tub bugs. :)
Bush-man has received a high honor indeed!
Well isn't that cool. The fact that she still has her head is also indicative of gender... either that or he's a young male who has never had the fortune (misfortune?) to mate.
Lovely
M
truly a blessing indeed
That's amazing how it let you get so close! I always love your pictures..
Very cool, although I probably would have run screaming because Bush Man would have scared the Bejesus out of me. How about lunch on Thursday? Or maybe dinner with all the kids? At your house, oc fourse ;o)
Quite a photo!
That bushman is funny. The pix of the Praying Mantis are wonderful,they are a sight to behold,so graceful to watch.
A praying mantis probably never even dreamed of being an internet star, yet here she is!
I don't think that I've ever seen any kind of praying mantis, except on TV and in textbooks. What a fascinating experience (and she is beautiful).
The first picture, though, startled me a bit.
Praying mantises are my favorite insect. They are regal, indeed. : )
Awesome. Love Bushman too!
Ha! I just caught a praying mantis and put him in a small lizard cage for my boys. I've been going to pet store buying crickets for him. That way he won't have to go through the cold winter, he can eat like a king (or queen), and we'll let him go next summer when he's grown into horror movie monster size. LOL!
Comments (18)
What a blessing it would be to have one as beautiful as that stare at you
^^ Lucky you
<3s
Lovely
M
The pix of the Praying Mantis are wonderful,they are a sight to behold,so graceful to watch.
A praying mantis probably never even dreamed of being an internet star, yet here she is!
I don't think that I've ever seen any kind of praying mantis, except on TV and in textbooks. What a fascinating experience (and she is beautiful).
The first picture, though, startled me a bit.