Topic: Praying mantis feasting

[GrannieAnnie]

While painting outside I got to watch this praying mantis who blended in so well by holding onto the pointed green seedpods of butterfly weed with his hind legs and nabbed a swallowtail butterfly who came for zinnia nectar.  The mantis' body is at an angle with his head pointing toward the lower left corner of the picture.

[Hyacinth]

Love it! I'm off to preying mantis' country in a couple of weeks - the 1st time I saw one I was pruning an overgrown azalea (they gotta lotta azaleas in N.C.!), reached out to the centre of the bush...and became aware that I was being watched ::) It fixed me with its eyes, stretched out an arm and oh-so-delicately nibbled the way up it - got the distinct impression it would nibble me anorl if I didn't b***er off ;D

[lorna]

Great photo GrannieAnnie

[GrannieAnnie]

Love it! I'm off to preying mantis' country in a couple of weeks - the 1st time I saw one I was pruning an overgrown azalea (they gotta lotta azaleas in N.C.!), reached out to the centre of the bush...and became aware that I was being watched ::) It fixed me with its eyes, stretched out an arm and oh-so-delicately nibbled the way up it - got the distinct impression it would nibble me anorl if I didn't b***er off ;D

  Nice time to go to North Carolina when the weather cools a bit. Have a good trip, Alishka.