Be Careful Mister

My lawn mowing paused suddenly today when I noticed a praying mantis on the grass in the area where my next pass would be. Naturally I had to stop to take a look.   

Having been bitten by a praying mantis a couple of years ago, I no longer just reach down and pick them up. After all, if a praying mantis can kill a hummingbird, they are obviously capable of protecting themselves when I pick one up. Instead of risk bloodshed, I used a stick to lift the mantis from the grass. As quick as I had it off the ground it took flight. According to my research, flight across our large yard (rather than a coordinated long jump) suggests I had found a male of the species. With that long flight I temporarily lost track of it. Fortunately Kristy was able to spot the mantis high in a spruce tree after we finished mowing.     

After relocating the praying mantis I then faced a self-challenge of photographing the creature high in the tree. With the help of a tall ladder and good balance I was able to navigate close enough to the praying mantis to capture a few acceptable images. Many of the pictures were of the mantis in its natural habitat. Due to limited access and a concern of falling, I could not move much which limited my creativity. That meant if I could not change my position, I needed to change my technique.     

Soon I was back on the ground grabbing my macro equipment and a flash. It was time to shoot a “scary” praying mantis picture. By controlling the direction and amount of light reaching the praying mantis I was able to make an image that shows the praying mantis as a threat – perhaps what insects and hummingbirds might see in their final moments.