Praying Mantis

We have seen some unusual flora and fauna around our house this summer. First there was the mushroom invasion, then the enormous snail, and who could forget the deer that I chased around in my pajamas?

Recently we had another visitor to our backyard. While I was at work Honey Daddy spotted a praying mantis in our yard. He picked it up on his spade and transferred it to a mason jar so that I could see it and take photographs of it the next day.

Jonah was absolutely fascinated with the praying mantis. Of course he wanted to keep it as a pet, but I told him we would let it live in our garden. So we got ready to let him go, but first we had to watch him for a while.

I opened the lid of the jar expecting the mantis to make a run for it. Surprisingly he just sat there at the edge of the jar. It was almost like he was asleep.

I kept getting closer and closer until I got to the point that my camera lens would no longer focus. But I suppose I got close enough.


I wish I had a macro lens... but I have to say that my camera does a pretty nice job regardless!

The mantis never did consent to leave the jar. So I took the jar to the garden and ended up tipping him out, and we haven't seen him since.