Insects in Our Garden

Many many mantids, and some damselflies!

Random July Nature Nearby

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.

September Science

We are going to participate in World Wide Water Monitoring Day on September 18th. Last week we did a practice run.





Mikro also caught, observed and then released a baby snapping turtle.







We are still doing our bug safaris:












































Mikro's new favorite website is: New York Bugs.

And, of course, we are still watching the birds and the rest of the neighborhood critters: