This Praying Mantis has been hanging out in the corner of our back yard. The first time I spotted him he disappeared while I retrieved my camera.
A few days later I got another chance when I found him nicely posed on a newly opened Hyacinth Bean flower.
He was about half the size of others I have seen, less than 2 inches (5 cm).
October 7, 2021
A recently hatched Carolina Anole spent some time watching the world from a Mandevilla plant on my patio a few days ago.
You might wonder how he got in there, I sure did. He didn’t weigh much but these petals are quite delicate.
I suspect he climbed out the stem then jumped/fell into the center. A wider view shows how tiny the Anole was. The blossom was about four inches (10 cm) across.
Credit to Ted for spotting this little fellow.
I know you shouldn’t ASSuME anything, but really when there are Roseate Spoonbills in a tree ahead of you wouldn’t you think everyone present would have seen them?
They are pink, after all, no camouflage available.
I saw them from a distance and hoped that they would stay put until I got closer.
One dropped down away from me but the second one made a big flapping display as he chose a pushing off point.
He got his balance and followed his pal out of sight.
Heard from my right: “what was that?”
This proves the point that it is easy to walk by some great subjects without even knowing they are there.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
August 29, 2021
Good morning!
A lone bee was busy working these pink blooms on a recent morning.
The blossoms remind me of a roof-top satellite dish, communicating in secret to the bee.
He seemed to get the message.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
August 31, 2021
A few more images from last month of patio visitors.
There was competition for these bamboo stakes for weeks.
The few dragonflies around my backyard now don’t seem to be interested.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
August 29, 2021
This dragonfly was determined to perch at the point of an unopened mandevilla bloom, but couldn’t seem to hold still.
He appeared to be scratching his chin, repeating this motion several times.
He did settle in, allowing me to maneuver to another view.
