September 1st, 2006
not such a hot idea
As proven by yesterday’s events, sometimes things don’t work out quite as planned.
(click on images for larger views)
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Aren’t we feeling a little too ambitious today?
Tags: Praying Mantis, Mantis religiosa, Sabrina
September 1st, 2006 at 2:38 pm
Lucky for that praying mantis Sabrina is very calm and good-natured. Our cat would never have permitted such a thing, unless he was sleeping. Wonderful photos.
September 1st, 2006 at 3:02 pm
so lovely…thanks for sharing…( this really visually reminded me of the student at Tinamen Square in China- Tank Man,…..)
September 1st, 2006 at 5:21 pm
Ohh- so neat! Showed it to my family, they loved it!
Thanks
September 1st, 2006 at 7:49 pm
Robin – I was thinking the same thing. I don’t know of too too many dogs or cats that would be so cool about having a mantis waving its feet at them from just a few inches away.
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enigma – thanks! Interesting about the reminder of Tank Man!
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Lynne – Glad you like it!
September 1st, 2006 at 11:20 pm
That third shot is so great!
September 2nd, 2006 at 9:13 am
Great pictures of the mantis Bev, they are the first insect I remember from childhood days, and they’re still a favourite.
September 2nd, 2006 at 11:45 am
I got a good laugh out of this little sequence, Bev. Good old Sabrina!
I haven’t seen any brown mantids here – all ours are green. I’m sure that’s not a taxonomic character though!
September 2nd, 2006 at 2:42 pm
Jenn – Thanks! Glad you liked it — funny shots. (-:
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Duncan – Thanks. I got quite a number of good shots of this mantis. The lighting was just about right that day — not too bright as is usually the case in summer. I have good memories of finding a mantis when I was quite young too. They certainly make quite an impression.
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Wayne – Yes, it was kind of a fun sequence to put together. When the mantis started moving toward Sabrina, I wasn’t quite sure how she would react, but she did as expected… just watched it approach and let it climb up on her. She’s very laid back about insects as she sees me handling them so often. Her latest thing is to walk out into the screened in sun porch with me and then look up at the screen as she knows I’ll also be looking there for the Monarch butterflies that I keep out there until they are tagged and released. I’m not sure she actually sees them, but I think she believes this is what we “do” these days. She’s very bright and a lot of fun because she’s so observant.
I have to say that that’s the first brown mantid that I’ve seen here as yet. I know that the Audubon Field Guide to N.A. Insects says they can be green to tan, but I think tan must be somewhat uncommon – except perhaps in certain regions. A very lovely insect though, and actually much easier to get a good photo of than the green as it didn’t reflect light in quite the same way.
September 2nd, 2006 at 4:08 pm
Second pic is THE BOMB!
September 2nd, 2006 at 10:42 pm
Wonderful sequence, Bev! Interesting that this is your first brown mantid sighting. I saw my first brown one this summer too–mere chance, or some kind of change coming over eastern Ontario?
September 2nd, 2006 at 10:45 pm
Whew — fabulous watching/catching, and Sabrina takes the prize for Most Laid-Back Doggy.
This time of year, when I come home the cats all gather at the door — not just from kitty-luv, but in hopes I’ve let a bug or three inside.
Thanks for your grand hosting Festival of the Trees…could spend all weekend there browsing, and might have to.
September 3rd, 2006 at 12:24 am
romunov – Glad you liked it!
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Pamela – Well, that’s pretty interesting that you’ve just seen your first brown mantid as well. I don’t know a lot about why there are some green and some brown — if this is weather or range related or what, but maybe I’ll do some checking around to see what I can find. I’ll let you know if I come up with anything.
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Lori – Thanks — and yes, Sabrina is very laid-back. We’ve always like the Rough Collies because they have such gentle temperaments, and she is certainly a good example of the breed.
Glad you’re enjoying the Festival of the Trees. Lots of neat contributions to it – including yours! (-:
April 23rd, 2007 at 2:47 pm
I just showed my hubby the Sabrina/mantis photos and he just turned to jelly :0) After 10 seconds of pure Awwwwwing, he said “What a Great Dog . . .”
April 23rd, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Cathy – Ha! Isn’t she? She’s very laid back and kind… seems to be a Collie trait as we’ve had 4 of them and they were all very much the same. Glad you enjoyed the photos!