My husband and I had just got home from our morning errands and were getting out of our car when I saw something big and yellow fly by. I've come to know that that means you probably just spotted a praying mantis.
My husband had given me the keys and asked me to get the door so he could get our laptops and I had agreed, until the bug, LOL! I hollered "Oh, no! I can't get the door!". When I realized I didn't have my camera on me (BAD CHELLE!) I thought I was going to cry, not literally, but you get the mood. Once my husband understood what was going on, he pointed at me and said "Don't move!" then jetted off.
He came back with my camera in hand, and I still had the praying mantis in my sights! Actually, he had landed on our Expedition's tire. I took some shots of him there, until he flew to my husband's apple tree. After taking shots there, he flew around in circles. I followed him to our wood chip pile, which he looked adorable in and blended in to almost too well!
Finally, he then flew to the base of one of our fence posts. I and my camera followed him all the way up the post, and he stood on the very top of it, just looking around, for at least two full minutes. After that, he flew into our grumpy-ex-Californian neighbor's field and that forced my adventure to a conclusion.
Bummer, but taking the shots were fun! Before, I'd only seen one praying mantis in my entire life, when I was in middle or high school. Now, this year, I've seen three! I feel so blessed! I've been asking God to provide neat photography opportunities, especially praying mantis bugs. I not only love them, but I find them very difficult to photograph and would like to improve my skills.
By Chelle152 from Coquille, OR
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Nice close up picture! I was in my garden a few months ago when I came across a little baby one. Of course leaving him undisturbed I took a picture of him and then went about my gardening forgetting all about him. Imagine my surprise when gardening in the same area the other day I found which I am assuming is the same one full grown. He was a little to well hidden to get a picture of him but I was delighted to see it was still around. I have never seen one flying and don't think I would know what it was if it flew by. When growing up we use to see them all the time but it had been ages since I saw one before this little fellow.
Praying Mantis are a blessing. You can help the population of these wonderful creatures by purchasing Ootheca (praying mantis cocons) and putting them out around your yard in the spring. When it is time many babies will leave the Ootheca. Many will leave the area but some will stay. There are different kinds of praying mantis and therefore different kinds of Ootheca.
The first time I bought cocoons I ordered 3 and put two outside. The other I put in a mason jar. When the babies hatched they were adorable. Absolute miniatures of a grown up. I set them all free the next day.
Chell, I'm breathless just from reading about your photographic adventure! Unlike Suntydt, I'd never try to cultivate these creatures (since even tiny bugs freak me out,) but I'm glad someone's willing.
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