Prayerful wildlife

Cavalier

While not a macro shot, nor really considered wildlife, I opted to put this in Wildlife for lack of a better thread. We've had a hatch of Praying Mantis in the area the last day or two and even with all the smoke in the area (from the Butte and Valley fires), they seem to be enjoying themselves. They are such a peaceful insect - never minding an idiot with a camera getting too close and encouraging them to get into a better position for a shot.

denisegoldberg

This is an awesome shot Jo!

--- Denise

Stumblebum

Simply great! It belongs in Wildlife, Macro and OTC! Cheers!lust

Cavalier

Thanks Denise and Taz. Lucky shot - he cooperated!

Thelensspot

Jo, a beautiful shot with very stunning colors and well composed. Needs a frame!

Cavalier

Aw Wayne, you're too kind - Thanks!

Cavalier

Well, a day later and he's still there although the Day Lilly has seen a better day! This time he looked right at me as I snapped his portrait - he's such a drama queen.

Stumblebum

This is a hanger Jo! Background, light, all perfect!lust

denisegoldberg

I love it!
I'd be tempted to frame both and hang them side-by-side.

--- Denise

Cavalier

Thanks, Taz & Denise. Might just play with some frames for these.

kscooper

Wow, Jo! Terrific color, isolation and detail in both of these . . .

Cavalier

Thanks Eric.

Sam

OOOOH this be way good!

Sam

Pacificklaus

Very nice, what gear did you use?

Cavalier

Sam wrote: »

OOOOH this be way good!

Sam

Thanks Sam!

Cavalier

Pacificklaus wrote: »

Very nice, what gear did you use?

Pacificklasu - Thanks for the kind words. I used a Canon 70D with a 24-70 2.8 lens. Exif - 42mm, iso 100, f 3.2, Exp 1/80, RAW.

Brett1000

nice praying mantis pics

Cavalier

Thanks for all the kind comments. I did want to update what has been going on the past few days. The mantis is still "hanging" out on the Lilly plant. We are suspecting that maybe he is really a she - a friend thinks that her belly is a bit swollen with maybe an egg sac.

It is Day Ten and he/she is still on the same plant. In the past few days, I caught her devouring a bumble bee held in her front legs, offered her a dead bumble bee that I held in a pair of tweezers (she snapped it up immediately and then rejected it supposedly because it wasn't fresh), and have watched her move from flower to fresher flower on the same plant over the ten day period. Here are some of the more recent shots (the previous shots posted are #1 and #2).

#3 - Devouring a bumble bee



#3a - a closer look (albeit not a great shot)



#4 - Hanging out down under



#5 - Peeking - good look at eyes and mouth



#6 - Stretching to reach and move to another flower - standing on her tippy-toes



#7 - Reaching the new flower and settling in for the long haul.




Not quite sure why I am so enamored with this little thing, but she has been a source of enjoyment for ten days. I'm going out of town for a week, so now I will stop posting silly Mantis shots - unless she happens to still be here when I return!

denisegoldberg

Cavalier wrote: »

#5 - Peeking - good look at eyes and mouth

Thanks for the update. And oh! I love # 5.

--- Denise

Thelensspot

Jo, this is a great series! I really appreciate #'s 4, 6 and 7 of the most recent posts. Colors, composition and focus are well done.

Tony Britton

Spectacular work. Congratulations!

Tony

Cavalier

Wayne & Tony - Thanks!!

You'll all be glad to hear that she has moved on and no longer inhabits the Day Lilly plant

:s85