We typically see only a few Preying Mantis each summer either while out hiking or in our garden. Last week, while out on a hike, we saw numerous Mantids and each one matched the specific grasses they resided in. The Mantid above was in grasses that were a mix of green and brown and the Mantid was green and brown.
While the Mantid above resided in fresh green grass.
This Mantids above were right at home in a field of brown.
We even got a look at one Mantid hanging upside down.
Photographed in Denver, CO
nature has no boss 
I love these creatures. They are so well adapted. They seem to have personality.
I invite you and your readers to see this one devour a grasshopper. Photos courtesy of a friend of mine. https://jarphys.wordpress.com/2017/07/25/mantis-grasshopper-devoured/
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Hi Jim and thanks for sharing the link. We were not lucky enough to run across one feeding but it probably was only a matter of time given the grass was full of future meals in the form of little grasshoppers and crickets. Hop your week has started well.
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Lovely shots Mike, that last upside down one was perfect!
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Hi Jude and thanks. It was fun to see that one upside down in the grass as they do seem to be expressing a bit of mantid personality there.
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They have a creepy way of looking straight at you!
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It is neat how it does seem that way.
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☺😊😀
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It does.
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I love them! They’re awesome! I think it’s great when we see them in Auckland, like you just a few each summer. I once awoke to find one on the ceiling above the bed…weird indeed. 🙂
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Hi Graham, now seeing a mantis hanging out above yo head while in bed might could be the cause of a strange dream the next night.
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Beautiful insect, and fabulous photos, Mike!
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Thanks Pete, Mantids are pretty cool insects and were were happy to see them. Hope you have a wonderful week.
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You are welcome, Mike 🙂 I hope your week is going well.
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Thanks Pete the week was very good.
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Great photos! The third and fourth are especially lovely images!
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Hi and thanks. We were lucky with the 3rd and 4th photos in that this mantid let us get fairly close and remained still. The green mantids seemed much more skittish. Hope your week has started well.
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We have a family of them living in our pathway border plants. They perfectly match the jade green of plants and I’m always in fear of trimming a few legs with the secateurs.
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I am sure those little guys appreciate the care you must take in trimming.
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Great shots, Mike… #3 is my favorite. Mantids are fierce predators, I’m glad they aren’t bigger!
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Hi Eliza, I like that shot as well as it is a nice demonstration of the insect in their environment. I sure could not imaging them being bigger but a two foot Mantid in my back yard might keep the squirrels from trying to eat our sunflowers.
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🙂
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