My first mantis (nymph)

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 7:37 am

I was very please to eventually get a mantis after searching all over for one. This nymph has a body length of maybe 2 inches.

He has a wonderful disguise...his tail is shaped like a leaf to blend in with the vegetation...

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 8:28 am

What is it with mantis's across the pond?

They all seem to have their butts in the air.

Your getting better with the new camera Joan, a little bit grainy of an image but that is okay. You'll be doing better pretty soon I am sure.

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 8:34 am

Thanks for the lovely comment Ken.

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 8:46 am

He is a cute little fella. Looks like he is begging for food

The upturned abdomen always makes them look so exotic IMO. Very nice Joan.

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 9:13 am

Thanks Doug. A really feisty little fellow. He kept on wanting to take a bite out of my camera.

I am just glad that he thought my finger was a twig he was sitting on else he would have taken a bite out of that!!

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 9:34 am

I did a similar shot of a Lacewing decades ago in my old Kodachrome slide days and got the remark from a competition judge that I should have washed my finger first! As though you can tell an insect to hang around whilst I just clear off for 10 minutes and wash my hands, seeing I just put them on the ground to steady myself! My finger was not really dirty either.

Note: always make sure you have a full manicure before doing finger shots for competition!

Nice picture Joan.

"He kept on wanting to take a bite out of my camera"

Perhaps could see his reflection in the lens and thought it was a handy meal?

DaveW

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 9:41 am

Note: always make sure you have a full manicure before doing finger shots for competition!

Quite a story Dave, I will remember this advice but I am not likely to send one in for a competition, I am strictly a non-professional.

Thanks for the lovely comment.

jmlphoto · Post by **jmlphoto** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 7:57 pm

nice mantid, wish i could find some here. only found a couple and it was when my camera was miles away.

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 8:54 pm

Thanks Jordan. If this one had not jumped on my shoulder I would not have these pics. I have been searching for a long time for some but cannot find any either.

DaveW · Post by **DaveW** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 4:01 am

If one of those had jumped on the shoulder of most ladies here Joan they would have broken the all comers mile record!

DaveW

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 4:13 am

I guess when you have lived in the bush as long as I have, bugs of all kinds jumping on me become part of everyday life.