Monday 11 April 2016

Preying Mantis

This rather wonderful creature was loitering by our front door earlier this week.  I think that Preying Mantis must be some of the most alien looking creatures that I see on a regular basis - and this 'other-worldness' was enhanced by the fact that the mantic turned its head around to watch me as I was taking these pictures.

Such encounters really do challenge the 'mindless automaton' vision of creatures other then human - this guys was very clearly checking me out!




You can find more macro shots at Macro Monday and I love Macro

20 comments:

  1. Well, did you have a conversation with him? He is quite a smart looking character. Our Praying Mantis are green and much more delicate in build, but equally as smart. I think man is so full of himself that he fails to recognize intelligence in other creatures. And man is so smart he is destroying the world we live in ... boy, did you catch me on a bad day :( Awesome pictures, Stewart, and I agree, he is surely checking you out :)

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  2. Hi Stewart,
    I haven't heard the word 'automaton' in quite a few years and it is great to see it in the context used in your commentary.

    The Mantis on your wall is a stunning fellow. Glad you got to spend some time with him and play the 'the observer' v. 'the observed'.

    Have a Happy Day!!
    Peace :)

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  3. Fascinating critter! He could be straight out of a horror movie.

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  4. Great find for you, Stewart! You took some terrific photos of him/it.

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  5. Beautiful series of a Praying Mantis, love it.

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  6. they are amazing alien creatures.

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  7. Nice macro shots of the mantis!

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  8. Odd looking creature but good shots of them. Have a great week ahead.

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  9. The gardener's best friend.

    You do have a special knack at taking photos...wonderful photos.

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  10. They truly are fantastic creatures and these are great shots Stewart.

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  11. Great photos of a very interesting insect
    Have a great week!
    Lea

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  12. Hello Stewart, they are cool insects. Great shots! Happy Monday, enjoy your new week ahead!

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  13. Good noticing Stewart. It is always a treat to witness (and be witnessed by) a praying mantis! Thanks so much for sharing the love up-close with I Heart Macro ♥

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  14. They are interesting creatures indeed. There is one species in the Americas that is large enough to prey on hummingbirds.

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  15. I haven't seen one of those in a long time..Too many birds around here, I guess..

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  16. Amazing observation in the last image....great shots!
    Thanks for sharing this.

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  17. Great photos but I do not like them! We used to get massive ones in RSA and they gave me the heebie jeebies!!! Diane

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  18. Interesting pics Stewart! Our Preying Mantis' are a cool shade of lime green and they're much skinnier bodies...interesting to see the difference in yours...I wonder if we have multiple types, and ours is simply the California version!!!

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  19. Great capture!

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