A First For Me

Before last week I only had one memory of seeing a praying mantis in person.  I was a little girl, maybe 7, and we found one on the sidewalk in New Haven outside my babysitter's house.  But last week I went outside after a few days of rain to see how the garden was faring.  And there it was -- a praying mantis on the basil chowing down on a still wriggling bee:

 

None of these photos are perfect because it was silly windy:

 

So you can see just how big the mantis was:

 

This may be calendar-worthy:

 

And to show you how difficult it was to get a decent photo:

And then on Sunday I went outside to escape the never-ending football on my TV (love having SS1 come over and hang out, but I can only take a few hours of football before I get bored) and found the mantis over on the wire shelves along the fence.  I love this photo, I just wish I hadn't cut off the mantis' tail:

 

And predictably my camera battery died so I couldn't try for a better one.  I just hope the mantis gives me another chance if the rain ever stops.  I took this photo to show the one new, blue bloom on the hydrangea, but it's kind of tough to see with the yellow of the siding behind it, but at least the beans on the netting look awesome:

 

I don't know if you can see it, but there are nasturtiums growing int he raised bed again.  I don't know if they're self-sown or somehow remnants of the plants that I pulled (though I can't imagine how that would happen):

 

Another surprise, well actually two, the husky cherry tomato is getting huge all of a sudden for no apparent reason.  And that bush under birdfeeder was cut down to the ground early in the season, but it came back.  I can't decide if I want to keep it or will try cutting it down again:

 

And the wildflowers are finally looking half decent with all the asters in bloom:

 

Downright beautiful up close:

 

It's been quite chilly here, all our windows are closed, socks on, hoodies & sweaters worn all day (not just for the cool mornings), and the throws are out of the ottoman and covering us on the couch.  I refuse to turn on the heat this early in the season, but sitting around in a 64 degree room is a little bracing.  I imagine the poor tomatoes outside are even colder, especially at night.  I don't know how many more of them are going to ripen if October is going to be this cold!

Comments

[Katie]

I really like the pic of the praying mantis on the wire. Great composition REGARDLESS if you cut off the tail or not.

[meemsnyc]

I absolutely love seeing Praying Mantis! I have never seen them in person in my life, and then this year I saw two of them. I felt extremely lucky!

http://nycgardening.blogspot.com/2010/09/mantis-meet-mantis.html

http://nycgardening.blogspot.com/2010/09/critters-in-new-paltz.html

[Caroline]

Even though the praying mantis is CT's state insect, I've never seen one in the wild. They're fascinating creatures! Great shots!

[Blackswampgirl Kim]

I've seen them before... but never one eating! Poor bee, but lucky you to have such a cool show. :)

ps. I love love LOVE the praying mantis on the wire. I don't think you need the tail in that photo--the lines, color and detail are wonderful.

[Heather's Garden]

Katie -- Thanks! I'm just such a perfectionist.

Meemsnyc -- both of those were neat sightings!

Caroline -- I've always been so proud that our state insect is the praying mantis.

Kim -- It was so gross. Fascinating, but oh so sad to watch the bee's leg thrash around. And thanks!

[shira]

When we were growing up in CT, we always used to say, "if you kill a praying mantis you will go to jail, since it's the state insect." It's funny to think about - but when I see one I'm always reminded of those innocent moments!

[Heather's Garden]

Shira -- That's exactly what we said that one time we saw one in New Haven! I wonder if little kids still say that now?

[Cindy Juliano]

I love your praying mantis pictures! One day a few years ago I found tons of them in my neighbor's peonies! And I tried to pick one up -- not advised since it tried to attack my fingers! I guess I was still like the little girl I was growing up in Georgia where I was always picking up bugs and collecting them in jars. They are such cool creatures, and I had no idea they are the state insect. Thanks also for commenting on my post. Cindy Juliano
gardenbythesound.blogspot.com

[Cindy Juliano]

Love your blog by the way, and it's great to "meet" another CT garden blogger!

[Heather's Garden]

Cindy -- Wow, I would never have the guts to try and pick one up, but I won't even touch a worm without gloves! Yes, all of a sudden we have a bunch of CT garden bloggers. When I started there were only a handful. It's such a small state, we really should all get together sometime.