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Saturday, October 3, 2009

Of Mums and Mantids

I was outside taking a walk around the yard and snapping a few pictures earlier today. I had planned on working in the yard some but it was a cold and blustery 55° and too cold for me to stay out for very long.


While outside, I stopped to look at the mums and noticed a praying mantis.



As I was standing there, a fly landed nearby and I watched to see if the mantis was going to attempt to catch it.



It did, but missed. I wonder if insects have the capability to think. I could just imagine this one whining and having a little temper tantrum because it missed an opportunity for lunch.




It certainly gave me a look...



and it's probably a very good thing I don't know what it's thinking!!!
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28 comments:

  1. Ruth's Photo BlogOctober 3, 2009 at 7:01 PM

    Great captures.

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  2. marmeeOctober 4, 2009 at 12:52 AM

    robin...i just posted about our praying mantis...we had a chinese one that was very large.
    i really like your brown guy on the pink mums. isn't it funny when they turn to look at you.
    happy autumn.

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  3. PatriciaOctober 4, 2009 at 7:35 AM

    Very cool photos, Robin! You know how much I love insect photos...and this is a great capture. Your neader collage is beautiful, too! Have a wonderful Sunday, dear friend.

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  4. Kerri FarleyOctober 4, 2009 at 7:48 AM

    Oh Robin, he is a handsome creature!! And I LOVE your new header!!

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  5. RosemaryOctober 4, 2009 at 8:47 AM

    Robin; What a terrific photo essay...... somehow I do think insects have thoughts..

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  6. F CameronOctober 4, 2009 at 9:04 AM

    Your nature photos are always so enjoyable! The mum color is so pretty, too.

    Cameron

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  7. Janet, The Queen of SeafordOctober 4, 2009 at 9:06 AM

    Great photos of the mantis. His (or her) coloring seems to blend with the mums. I wonder if they 'change' color or if it is a reflective nature of their skin. Love the one of his looking at you at the end.

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  8. The Giraffe Head TreeOctober 4, 2009 at 1:41 PM

    Oh, this is rich! Drama in the garden, and such a gorgeous mantid!

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  9. our friend BenOctober 4, 2009 at 6:29 PM

    Great photo sequence, Robin! And I really love all your fall header shots. Fabulous!!!

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  10. RoseOctober 4, 2009 at 9:15 PM

    Mantises are so much fun to watch, but that last picture is priceless! I think he must been saying, "Hey lady, would you get out of here with that camera? You made me lose my lunch":)

    Your header is such a lovely composite of fall colors, Robin. And congratulations on your Blotanical award!

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  11. Jill-OOctober 4, 2009 at 10:25 PM

    I think that praying mantis looks like an alien in a sci fi movie. "Beware human, or you will be destroyed".

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  12. DianeOctober 5, 2009 at 12:02 AM

    Situated on those lovely pink mums, the mantis looks like it is in a "Mantis Spa"!

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  13. Lisa at GreenbowOctober 5, 2009 at 8:20 AM

    Now you know how that fly felt when the mantis was looking at it. Great photos that tell a story of the one that got away.

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  14. NaturegirlOctober 5, 2009 at 10:05 AM

    Robin! GREAT macros! The last with the face staring at you...WOW!!
    Good job...It's too cold for me too..my master gardener this year natureboy doesn't mind garden work with a drop in temps...Brrr..

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  15. Joanne OlivieriOctober 5, 2009 at 10:46 AM

    I've never seen a mantis up close and personal until this photo. Your pics are beautiful, creepy critter and all :)

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  16. AnonymousOctober 5, 2009 at 4:58 PM

    Well they sure freak me out. I feel like I'm the prey when they they look at me like that. Beautiful photos and they are some of my favorite mums.

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  17. AnonymousOctober 7, 2009 at 6:13 PM

    This brought a chuckle! I love praying mantises. They are so odd yet fun to look at. It almost looked like it was putting its hands over its eyes when it had missed the fly! You got some beautiful shots of this gangly creature.

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  18. GailOctober 7, 2009 at 9:42 PM

    That look is unnerving! The mums are lovely Robin...a very fine pink. gail

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  19. Nature's BeautyOctober 8, 2009 at 6:21 PM

    Hi Robin, What beautiful flowers. I once teased a hugh green mantis with a dead flower bloom. He grabbed it out of my hand at lightning speed. Thank goodness it wasn't my finger! You better believe I don't stick my fingers near one now. Keep up the good photography.
    Barbara

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  20. Bonnie StoryOctober 8, 2009 at 7:59 PM

    Hi Robin! I have not been her eto your blog in a long time, and now I remember why it was one of my favorites! Great photos, really - I cannot believe the mantis shots!! Unbelievable that a critter like that can have so much... ATTITUDE!! Great mosaics too -- this time you are going into my Google Reader so I won't miss any more of your great posts. Have a wonderful day and Happy Fall! Bonnie in WA

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  21. UnknownOctober 8, 2009 at 10:10 PM

    Robin, your site is GORGEOUS! You have done a beautiful job! I had fun browsing through your lovely pictures and I just loved this post. :)

    Tracy C.

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  22. Ticking and ToileOctober 9, 2009 at 10:59 AM

    just found your blog...your photography is truly stunning! Love all your gorgeous shots!

    Shellagh

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  23. joeltheurbangardenerOctober 9, 2009 at 4:17 PM

    Your mantis looks like it could kick my mantis' butt!
    -I like you turtle invader too.

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  24. SherriOctober 9, 2009 at 6:27 PM

    Robin, what cool pictures! Do you know praying manthis will eat hamburger meat from you hands? Our neighbor in NJ used to feed hers all the time!

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  25. Kylee BaumleOctober 13, 2009 at 10:42 AM

    I love praying mantises and you've got some beautiful photos of one on the mums. I didn't see too many in the gardens this year. Fewer than normal, anyway. I'm sure there were plenty, as we always find many, many egg cases each winter and last winter was no exception.

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  26. rebecca sweetOctober 13, 2009 at 6:08 PM

    Oooohhh! I love praying mantis and can't believe you caught the whole dining process on film - great job! This is the first year in many that I haven't had any in my garden (I guess our Summer was cooler than usual) so enjoyed seeing yours...

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  27. Betty819November 27, 2009 at 10:23 AM

    Please can you tell us what the name of those mums are? They are beautiful and just what I need to add to my cottage flower garden, I am planning for 2010.

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  28. Robin's Nesting PlaceNovember 27, 2009 at 4:35 PM

    Betty, I'm not really sure what the name of it is. I did a google search of mums and there is one called 'Sweet Peg' that looks very similar.

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