Preditors

I do a hummingbird watch for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. and have several feeders in my yard. Yesterday, a hummer was feeding at the one attached to the window (the one I watch the most because the birds are closer), when I noticed this praying mantid, just below the feeder. It's front legs were posed in that praying position, but I'd swear it was eyeing the bird on the feeder. I had read an article in a book about a mantid catching a hummingbird and got a bit worried. So I went on the Internet and checked. Sure enough, they do catch them and eat them. I saw some grisly photos for proof. When I went back to the window, the mantid had moved closer to the feeder. That did it. Not my hummer, you preditor you. Now, normally, I leave the wild critters alone. And mantids do eat other bugs. But I wasn't taking any chances. I grabbed the broom, ran outside, and swept it off the window. Haven't seen it since.

No writing news today. Another week. Sigh.

Happy reading and writing.