bug

[armando_m]

This shot  is significant because I convinced my kid to assist with the led light, unusual as he usually ignores me with all my photographic activities.
The shot involved getting in a difficult position crunching under a bush where we hardly fit, and then it took some time as I composed and battled with the autofocus, all while trying not to get wet as the grass was just watered

[elsa hoffmann]

What a beautiful bug. I heard somewhere they can deliver n nasty bite. How old is that kid of yours?
Well done on your accomplishment. My kids ignore me too

[armando_m]

mi kid is 15

they bite ? well we were out of reach 

Thanks for commenting Elsa

[Bill De Jager]

Well done, Armando.  That's a praying mantis.  They are not aggressive but will defend themselves.  The leaf-like venation is amazing.

[David H. Hartman]

I kept one as a pet. She was an outright coward. I caught insects for her to eat. Once I caught a large Oriental cockroach. Around here they are frequently found outdoors and seldom come in. They are fast and scared her. She would open her large wings to display her eyespots. Finally she realized the cockroach was her dinner and caught it from behind. She ate the poor cockroach tail to head. The cockroach's antennas did stop wiggling until she ate the head. This is the only time I remember feeling sorry for a cockroach.

She finally laid a clutch of eggs and latter died. Preying mantis are considered beneficial but they eat each other limiting the amount of good they do. I had to release them quickly. I later learned they could be feed nonflying fruit flies.

Preying mantis are true HK(s) once they the insect before them is dinner. They will even catch black widow spiders by the head and eat them.

Dave Hartman

X marks the bug. I don't remember that their wings cross.

[armando_m]

Thanks Bill
David, wow, quite a story

[David H. Hartman]

Their wings may cross. What I can say is the have supernatural powers and they can for tell the future.

[Akira]

Impressive capture, Armando!

The contrasty lighting reveals the unique pattern on the mantis' wing really well.

[elsa hoffmann]

Interesting comments! Thanks for sharing. I read they are not poisonous / venomous

[armando_m]

Their wings may cross. What I can say is the have supernatural powers and they can for tell the future.

the problem then will be to understand their language

[David H. Hartman]

Interesting comments! Thanks for sharing. I read they are not poisonous / venomous

They are just HK(s), Hunter Killers. The tend to use ambush their prey. I've seen the one I kept for about a year chase prey on occasion but mostly she used ambush. If they were the size of a German Shepard I would not go outside without a 12 gauge shotgun (which would mean I could not go outside as I don't own a shotgun).

Dave

[David H. Hartman]

Armando,

Thanks for posting this. I just saw the photograph for the first time on a computer (before on a phone). Very nice: Great detail and light!

Dave

[Randy Stout]

Armando:

I love these guys, almost remind of a dinosaur for some reason.  I have had some luck with them over the years, and am always thrilled to see one.

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers

Randy