Nature Nearby: Odd Delivery

This afternoon, I went out to get the mail. I pulled a couple magazines and letters out of the box and stuck my hand in to be sure I got it all. Felt something vaguely like a pine cone and then YOW! Pain! Pulled my hand out. Looked in, only to see this:



That may be the biggest mantis I have ever seen. Seems to be female and just about ready to pop with eggs. So I sent Mikro to get the camera and relocated her (gave her a stick to grab on, and held a magazine under her) to the grape vine by the side of the house.