Tag Archives: Praying Mantis

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Wendy Van Dyck recently photographed a Praying Mantis in its tan coloration. Great camouflage!

Larry Jacobs also photographed a Praying Mantis; this one is green. Once again, the mantis blends wonderfully with the surroundings.

A Praying Mantis can also be seen as totally white as Tony Green once photographed. This happens right after a molt.

Siegfried Matull got this amazing photo of a mantis with its wings outstretched.

Thanks to Wendy, Larry, Tony and Siegfried for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Oh, it's so lovely here today - warm with a gentle breeze. This time of year can be the best time to see a green flash. Rick and I saw one this week, and tonight's sunset might give us another green flash.

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Last Thursday morning, Rick and I, along with our golden retriever, Huckleberry, took a hike at Gualala Point Regional Park. It was a breezy day and the fog had pulled back leaving us in sunshine.

This is the view from one of the trails. On the middle right is the Gualala River lagoon. On the bluffs is the town of Gualala. The rocky islands in the middle are Fish Rocks, where a large colony of Sea Lions live.

Something moved in the grasses that caught my eye. When I looked at my photograph, I found I had photographed a Praying Mantis!

Paying attention to things both big and small brings unexpected surprises!

To see one of the most popular photos on this blog, here's the link to Siegfried Matull's photo of a Praying Mantis with its wings extended: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/10/07/two-photos-of-a-praying-mantis-from-coastal-photographer-siegfried-matull/

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Jean Brown recently photographed this Great Blue Heron. It was eating a Praying Mantis.

Great Blue  Herons eat a wide variety of food. They have been seen fishing for fish, frogs and salamanders. They also eat small mammals, insects like this hapless Praying Mantis and even greens.

Thanks to Jean for allowing me to share her photo with you here. To see a Praying Mantis in happier times, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/10/07/two-photos-of-a-praying-mantis-from-coastal-photographer-siegfried-matull/

And to see the graceful Heron in flight, here is one of my favorite photos taken by Allen Vinson: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/07/06/great-blue-heron-so-graceful-in-flight/

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Emily Nelson photographed a Mantid, or Praying Mantis as we call them. It's such a unique insect and always a treat to see.

It's no fun for the male who mates with a female. Yes, with most Mantis species, she eats him after the deed is done! This is to provide her and her developing young nutrients. Other than mating males, this insect eats other insects and very small mammals. It is able to camouflage itself by changing its color to the surroundings.

Here's a link to two other photos of this unusual critter: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/10/07/two-photos-of-a-praying-mantis-from-coastal-photographer-siegfried-matull/

The weather over the weekend was calm and Gray Whale sightings poured in. Saturday and Sunday there were numerous sightings of mother Gray Whales and their Calves headed north. One person saw ten whales in a short period from Point Arena. On Sunday I saw a mom with a calf, always a heartwarming site - big spout, little spout. Today fog obscures much of the ocean and the portion that can be seen has white caps. Gray Whale sightings will have to wait another day!

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Praying Mantis is the colloquial name for Mantodea. It's a beneficial insect to have around your garden as it eats flies and mosquitoes, among other insects. It has the ability to change color to camouflage itself.

This picture shows off its lovely wings, wings to make a fairy jealous!

And here is one camouflaged as a stick.

Thanks to Siegfried for allowing me to share his photos here with you!