HOME | DD

kayaksailor — More, please...

Published: 2009-09-19 22:22:32 +0000 UTC; Views: 545; Favourites: 21; Downloads: 14
Redirect to original
Description I'm being checked out while trying to capture this Mantis' portrait...looks like it's asking for more nectar from the hummingbird feeder...

While taking this, the hummer showed up and immediately the mantis' attention went to the bird! Eventually the hummer chose to ignore the mantis and briefly drank...

Edit: Due to comments and observations on praying mantis and hummingbirds I did a bit of research...yes! mantis will catch and eat hummingbirds check out this National Geographic photo [link]
Related content

kayaksailor - gonna get you

kayaksailor - On the hunt

kayaksailor - Mantis with a lady

kayaksailor - Mini mantis

kayaksailor - Mantis on glass

kayaksailor - Mini Godzilla on the prowl

kayaksailor - Mantis on the deck

kayaksailor - Mantis Bokeh

kayaksailor - Clinging to summer

mishkuu - butch hanging out

bym700 - Drinking Praying Mantis

gavenecko - Gravid Mantid 02

Irena-N-Photography - 'You again?'

Legrandzilla - Attack of the Giant Hand

Dee-Shadowhawk9973 - Excuse me, you're a bit close...

Kamellion - Get Out of My WAY!

amorousdino - Preaching Mantis

mad-dame - Staring
Comments: 38

lamayoush [2009-11-25 15:38:02 +0000 UTC]

Thats so special!I thought all mantis were green!dumb me I guess

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kayaksailor In reply to lamayoush [2009-11-25 23:10:16 +0000 UTC]

LOL, so did I until we moved here!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

jdrainville [2009-11-07 03:45:32 +0000 UTC]

It looks like it was contemplating having a go at your camera!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kayaksailor In reply to jdrainville [2009-11-08 00:42:57 +0000 UTC]

I did have a slight fear of that they do jump!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

HarLeeRider [2009-10-18 12:41:24 +0000 UTC]

Hi Ruth!! I just had to commend and applaud your effort on this wonderful close-up shot of a praying mantis!! These have always been my favorite insects!! Take care and great job!! Many s to you always ... Lee

👍: 0 ⏩: 2

kayaksailor In reply to HarLeeRider [2009-11-01 18:39:24 +0000 UTC]

Keeping one as a pet....hmmm, that gives me ideas What did you keep him in? An aquarium or similar? We didn't have them where I grew up - so I saw my first one (in the 'wild' when I was about 30, but I was facinated! I think they've done whatever they do for the winter already here but I will keep my eyes open next summer and see about keeping one for a few days

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

HarLeeRider In reply to kayaksailor [2009-11-01 19:10:51 +0000 UTC]

Hey Ruth!! Actually, it was like a small fish bowl with a homemade lid!! I just stuck sticks and different small leaves etc. in there to give him something to perch on!! So, I guess that would qualify for an aquarium of sorts!! Then when I went out for walks and I wanted to take him with me, I put him in a jar filled with the same kind of materials as the fish bowl!! If you ever get a chance, you should really catch one and keep it for a little while to just observe it's techniques and gestures ... especially the face and head!! It IS the only insect that can turn it's head like that!! Just remember if your going to photograph, the glass can become a challenge in itself!! But, I know you are already aware of that!!
Anyway, thanks for writing and take care ... hope to hear from you again soon!! Many s to you always!! ... Lee

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kayaksailor In reply to HarLeeRider [2009-11-02 00:27:25 +0000 UTC]

We have an old two gallon pickle jar that we use to keep "things" in overnight or for long enough to photograph so I think it will work for a Mantis home Thanks of the tips!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

HarLeeRider In reply to kayaksailor [2009-11-02 00:47:37 +0000 UTC]

That will probably work okay Ruth ... heck, that might even work for my home!!
Anyway, you're more than welcome!! Take care ... Lee

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

kayaksailor In reply to HarLeeRider [2009-10-18 21:17:29 +0000 UTC]

They are really interesting critters! We seemed to have more around this year than last and seeing one on the hummingbird feeder was deffinitely a First!!

Thanks for the cheers and hugs!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

HarLeeRider In reply to kayaksailor [2009-11-01 14:02:59 +0000 UTC]

I totally agree with you Ruth ... Even as a kid, I was amazed by their abilities and appearance!! I actually had one for a pet named Ralph ... he was so cool!! I remember feeding him flies and I would put one or two in with him while they were alive, and he would just swipe tone up in a blink of an eye, hold it up with his from his front arms (or whatever they're called)sideways, and then eat it like it was a piece of chicken or something!! It was fascinating!!
You are always welcome for the cheers and hugs, and I send many more s to you again!! Keep up the great photography Ruth ... I mean it!! ... Lee

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

redbeard31 [2009-09-20 22:20:47 +0000 UTC]

very cool colors!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kayaksailor In reply to redbeard31 [2009-09-21 20:06:09 +0000 UTC]

the sun made him almost transluscent

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

ParadigmParadox [2009-09-20 14:17:03 +0000 UTC]

Great light, and the focus must have been tricky... well done!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kayaksailor In reply to ParadigmParadox [2009-09-21 20:16:27 +0000 UTC]

I was balancing my pinky and ringfinger on the feeder to hold everything still I moved the feeder around to get the best light which sadly didn't give the best background...

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

rtsphoto [2009-09-20 06:16:40 +0000 UTC]

They will sometimes try to catch the hummer, saw it once, And the hummer flew off with the mantis.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kayaksailor In reply to rtsphoto [2009-09-20 06:40:14 +0000 UTC]

that just astounds me! It's not like the matis will EAT a hummer...will it?

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

rtsphoto In reply to kayaksailor [2009-09-20 19:39:16 +0000 UTC]

I doubt it, but it attacks anything small that comes near it I guess.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kayaksailor In reply to rtsphoto [2009-09-21 20:50:47 +0000 UTC]

reflex action or a Neapolian complex "I'm big and scary so don't mess with me!"

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

davincipoppalag [2009-09-20 00:50:06 +0000 UTC]

He looks huge!!!!! Great shot

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kayaksailor In reply to davincipoppalag [2009-09-20 06:41:18 +0000 UTC]

Not as large as it seems but it is big to a hummer

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

davincipoppalag In reply to kayaksailor [2009-09-20 08:28:47 +0000 UTC]

Im sure it is!!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

bear48 [2009-09-20 00:47:41 +0000 UTC]

sweet job

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kayaksailor In reply to bear48 [2009-09-20 06:41:29 +0000 UTC]

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Kelly63 [2009-09-19 23:12:41 +0000 UTC]

On the hummingbird feeder, that is very unusual!

👍: 0 ⏩: 2

kayaksailor In reply to Kelly63 [2009-09-21 20:54:22 +0000 UTC]

goggled mantis and hummingbird images, together, and came up with some amazing shots and videos...check this one out [link]

👍: 0 ⏩: 2

rtsphoto In reply to kayaksailor [2009-09-23 04:40:07 +0000 UTC]

I guess mine was lucky it flew away with the mantis or perhaps that was a short flight.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kayaksailor In reply to rtsphoto [2009-09-23 05:03:21 +0000 UTC]

I shouldn't laugh, but that is kind of funny

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Kelly63 In reply to kayaksailor [2009-09-21 23:14:42 +0000 UTC]

You have got to be kidding! That's crazy!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kayaksailor In reply to Kelly63 [2009-09-22 00:12:05 +0000 UTC]

I KNOW!!!!! In the google search there was a video of a mantis eatting the hummer...I couldn't watch it

(and I messed up on the avatar/icon it was who did the search that prompted me to look too...)

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Kelly63 In reply to kayaksailor [2009-09-22 00:37:08 +0000 UTC]

I just can't believe that!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kayaksailor In reply to Kelly63 [2009-09-22 00:43:16 +0000 UTC]

well, I know I'll be moving any future mantis I see anywhere NEAR any of the feeders!!!!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Kelly63 In reply to kayaksailor [2009-09-22 09:38:07 +0000 UTC]

I'll be on the lookout for that too Ruth!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kayaksailor In reply to Kelly63 [2009-09-22 18:29:26 +0000 UTC]

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

kayaksailor In reply to Kelly63 [2009-09-20 06:42:18 +0000 UTC]

said: They will sometimes try to catch the hummer, saw it once, And the hummer flew off with the mantis.

I wonder if the mantis thinks the bird's dinner?!

👍: 0 ⏩: 2

rtsphoto In reply to kayaksailor [2009-09-23 04:43:14 +0000 UTC]

I bet they do, they go after mice. I saw one catch a bumble bee once. The bee did not have a chance.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

kayaksailor In reply to rtsphoto [2009-09-23 05:02:47 +0000 UTC]

now a bee makes sense...but a bird just doesn't seem right! but there's a video on the google search that shows one eatting ...

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Kelly63 In reply to kayaksailor [2009-09-20 18:23:29 +0000 UTC]

That is wild!
I've heard of big bull frogs stalking little birds but not those guys!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0