Eye of the Mantis

Day 310



Another theme that seems to be going on here is Mantises (Manti?). It all started back on Day 115 with the discovery of an egg sac. On Day 128, the babies hatched and left home. They grew up, and came back to visit from time to time.

And now, as fall turns the leaves to red, she was spotted again. I know this a she because a couple days later, she was laying a new egg sac on this very same tree.

Happy Mantis

Day 255



I don't actually know if this is the same mantis from Day 249, but I'm going to say it is. The main reason (other than the fact that it looks the same) is that he once again was more than ready to turn to face the camera, and this time it looks like he was even smiling. If this keeps happening, this is going to turn into a Mantis a Day. I pray that does not happen.

Storm Door

Day 249



As I continue to seek out bugs, so too do they continue to seek out me. This mantis, who may or may not been part of the pack (pride? school? herd? litter?) that we hatched it the habitat back in the spring. Maybe the grasshopper from Day 247 told him that I could make him famous. He was ready for his close-up, and even turned his head and said cheese.

Hop Along

Day 247



Bugs. I love them. Maybe that is why I became a software tester. While I was looking for bugs in The Next Big Thing, I looked out my office window to see this big fella hanging out on the Penn State (the one true University) flag. I grabbed the a700 and ran out to shoot him.

Note: This is probably one of those days that I looked especially silly to the neighbors because this grasshopper kept going back and forth from one side of the flag to the other, forcing me to do the same.

Me So Hornworm

Day 233



The kids brought some new friends home with them from Grammy's house. These hornworms, aka big tomato bugs, soon found a home in the butterfly/mantis/firefly habitat. This guy, whom they've named "Grandpa" was quite cooperative, and did not mind posing on peaches rather than his native fruit.

I'm pleased with how this shot came came out, and expect I will love it for a long time.