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.
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/nonrancher/8cc0d58b-1.jpg)
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
Great photo GrannieAnnie
Quote from: Alishka_Maxwell on August 27, 2008, 11:57:04
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.