Mantis Macro

Posted by Jon on Oct 1, 2011 in Photography | 1 comment

One of my favorite things to do is go outside and take pictures of nature and wildlife.  Sometimes, though, I don’t feel like staking out a spot to try and get pictures of birds.  There’s a whole little world around us that we rarely even notice.  Usually when I attach my macro lens (Canon 100mm f/2.8L IS USM) it’s to take product photos.  I admit that the lens provides so much more ability than I often use it for – so, every now and then I throw it on and go looking at the small details.

The other day, however, I didn’t even get out of the front door before seeing the “details” hanging from the screen door.  It was completely coincidental that I had my 7D and macro lens with me when I saw a praying mantis relaxing attached to the door.  I went outside and grabbed some photos.  While taking the photos (which is really creepy because the head of a praying mantis can swivel, so it turns its head to look at you and that’s just a little weird…) the thing jumped from the screen door, flew over my head, and landed in the grass.  While it was there I planted my rear in the wet ground (I didn’t realize at the time that I was about to sit in wet grass and dirt) and spent a little while taking photos of this fella’.

After looking more information up on praying mantis’ I learned that the rumor of them being endangered and carrying a fine should you kill them is just that – a rumor.  Officially, the bug is not endangered and there is no fine or penalty in the event that you smash a praying mantis (other than you looking like a jerk).  This one was pretty brown though most of the ones I have seen have been quite green – not sure why that is…  do they camoflauge or change color during the seasons?  We may never know (actually we could do some research and find out but I am too tired).

Enjoy!