by Janet "Jax" B.
Member since:
August 16, 2006

I finally got close ups of a praying mantid....

September 15, 2008 12:35 AM EDT
views: 114 | rating: 9.7/10 (35 votes) | comments: 58

Phylum, Arthropoda; Class, Insecta; Order, Mantodea 

This is what a Praying mantid...or as some say mantis is. These insects fascinate me, because they seem so aware and look so neat.

I've been trying to get a good close up shot for a while. I haven't seen all that many this summer...and well, I do have a story about a HUGE one, but that will wait for another time.

Here are some of the shots I got tonight. I hope she hangs around until tomorrow morning, so Angela can get a few shots too. I am starting to teach her to do close ups.

With close ups (the 3x filter on my camera) it's hard to get everything on her in focus.

Here are a few of the shots I took tonight. I wish it had been daytime though...

I'll post one of the others on my photos....this could be a fair shot for next year perhaps?
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Comments: 58

Phyllis R. Sep 15, 2008, 12:42am EDT
Totally awesome, - just awesome. You are great with the camera...........I love all these shots!!!!
Larry H. Sep 15, 2008, 12:43am EDT
thanks for sharing neat picture...
Phyllis R. Sep 15, 2008, 12:43am EDT
BTW, the last picture is amazing......you certainly did an exceptionally on these great captures!
Connie C. Sep 15, 2008, 12:44am EDT
Wow That is amazing shots Jax
Amber M. Sep 15, 2008, 12:57am EDT
That is wicked cool
Angela <:3---}~~~~ M. Sep 15, 2008, 1:01am EDT
those are great for night shots, well done. i just came in from a nigh bug hunt and only found skeeters ;( I was a blood donor for quite a few
Donna T. Sep 15, 2008, 1:01am EDT
wow --- way cool! I think I see a little smirk on her face.
Bryan "That 80's Dude" B. Sep 15, 2008, 1:04am EDT
Do me a favor and shoot me a email. I would like to know what kind of camera you are using for great shots like this. I am going to be in th market for a camera in a few months and am gathering data on cameras. Thanks!
Braxton M. B. Sep 15, 2008, 1:40am EDT
Did you shoot this with your D80? What lenz did you use? It has a good macro. Nice photo Jax.
edna r. Sep 15, 2008, 2:18am EDT
nice photos
Marianne R. Sep 15, 2008, 5:36am EDT
You got some nice pictures!
Brian T. Sep 15, 2008, 7:15am EDT
Wow great close ups.
Brian .. Sep 15, 2008, 7:41am EDT
those are incredible photos!
Denise B. Sep 15, 2008, 8:12am EDT
great shots!! DEfinately shots for next years fair IF they stop all the cheating that is going on
Wow, these are some awesome macros Janet~
j - Frugal Mom - r. Sep 15, 2008, 9:24am EDT
Wow, these are so cool Jax!
Chris E. Sep 15, 2008, 10:38am EDT
Oh wow those are great pictures Janet!
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Sep 15, 2008, 2:59pm EDT
Oh my, what great shots, makes my photos look sick, LOL. These are wonderful and so detailed.

Thanks so much for posting this to
my group
heather "chickenlips" g. Sep 15, 2008, 3:42pm EDT
WOW! those are great! Looks like she is posing for you! :)
Sassy ... the calm and cool Cat Sep 15, 2008, 5:10pm EDT
wow, fantastic shots! I haven't seen one of these in years and years
Heather W. Sep 15, 2008, 5:19pm EDT
Number two is my favorite. . she looks all devious like she's plotting something.
I love these guys, they're about the only bug I will touch. I had a 'work pet' the other day, a big female that was trying to fly into people's hair at the fuel center, I brought her inside my box and fed her crickets until I got off and then set her free in the park.
My boss thought I had lost my mind heh
*Carol ~Bronx Southern Belle D. Sep 15, 2008, 5:26pm EDT
He looks just like my brother after a fun Saturday night if you get my drift.
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. Sep 15, 2008, 7:05pm EDT
These pictures were absolutely worth waiting for. Definitely fair prospects!
Melinda ~choosing happiness~ S. Sep 15, 2008, 7:32pm EDT
Amazing photos, Jax!
Pher B. Sep 15, 2008, 10:32pm EDT
These are really cool mom, but you're right, this is a nerd article. LOL
Kimberly Ripley Sep 15, 2008, 10:40pm EDT
These are incredible shots! Very impressive!
Dan (Cowboy Up) V. Sep 15, 2008, 10:58pm EDT
Very cool shots! Is it true they bite the heads off their mates?? Yikes! lol
lynn a. Sep 16, 2008, 1:33am EDT
Jax, These are fantastic. Saw the title in the feed and thought maybe these were Angela's. Maybe the two of you could do a book together of your "nature" shots. Okay. Off to bed. Will look for Angela's tomorrow.

The one where he is facing left and the head is turned to look straight at the camera is my favorite. Don't know why. Just is. Just in case you want to know.
lynn a. Sep 16, 2008, 1:36am EDT
Actually, the first one is awfully cool too. The two might have to share the title of favorite for me.
Bridget ♥ Sep 16, 2008, 1:37am EDT
AMAZING!
JOHN BECK Sep 16, 2008, 7:49am EDT
Great macros. I mow our trails through brush, woods and meadows with a small 4 wheel drive tractor and there's a loader bucket out front. So I was quite surprised one time when I was mowing and spotted a praying mantis (or mantid) on the trail ahead of me! I was able to stop the tractor and relocate the insect instead of mowing over the interesting predator. How I happened to spot this creature from the seat of the tractor I'll never know.
flit . Sep 16, 2008, 5:01pm EDT
very cool shots!
queen.susan . Sep 17, 2008, 7:18am EDT
INCREDIBLE . . .
AWESOME . . . .
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pher B. Sep 17, 2008, 7:28am EDT
Those are all cool shots mom.
Wendy*~temporarily MIA ~* O. Sep 17, 2008, 8:44am EDT
awesome shots!
debra g. Sep 17, 2008, 7:23pm EDT
They are outstanding shots!
JoAnn C. Sep 17, 2008, 11:35pm EDT
awesome close ups
Dawn Clevenger Sep 18, 2008, 4:01am EDT
Absolutely amazing, you really have talent with the camera.
Wendy*~temporarily MIA ~* O. Sep 18, 2008, 7:33am EDT
I wish I could have gotten as close as you did. I said it before, up there, but I think the close ups are amazing! I think because of the additional background stuff, my camera couldn't get a tight shot like that. Mine sure doesn't have the facial details that your's do. I don't know though, most likely my problem is a camera based issue. I'm thinking it's more like an inexperienced photographer on the other end of it. LOL, so, what's your secret?
Ghostly Ghoul Sep 18, 2008, 11:13pm EDT
Wow, i was excited when i got mine too! They are such amazing animals, have you seen the video on gather of one with the funny ending?
Chelsea R. Sep 19, 2008, 2:07am EDT
these are excellent!!
Fern Cohen Sep 19, 2008, 9:49am EDT
wow! These are amazing! My prayers are with u for swift recovery of your family members in the hospital!
Sarah (I want points) Sep 19, 2008, 10:19am EDT
Wow! Those are some really close shots! Way to go! Great detail.
JOHN BECK Sep 20, 2008, 5:28pm EDT
This afternoon there is one on the south wall of our breezeway!
Library M. Sep 20, 2008, 8:57pm EDT


too good

scary
Shelbia C. Sep 20, 2008, 10:21pm EDT
Cool photos
Zara Stevens Sep 22, 2008, 7:15am EDT
I think he looks kind of regal and wise.
Great photo!
Toni V. Sep 22, 2008, 9:47am EDT
Oh wow. How cool.
Lynn R. Sep 25, 2008, 4:34pm EDT
I don't think I've ever seen better closeups of these. These are just simply incredible. I am so impressed Jax.
(Jasper,(Disciple for Christ. w. Sep 25, 2008, 9:45pm EDT
Jannet, those are beautiful pic. I have been looking for one of them all year, so the other day I went to a nursing home performances, an I was walking down a side walk, and there was one walking across the side walk, and I had left my camera in the car, I was disgusted to no end.
necee t. Sep 26, 2008, 12:17am EDT
wow, Janet, you got wonderful close ups of this little guy/girl?? very cool...

too Bad Jasper missed his chance...

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Elaine A. Sep 26, 2008, 7:00am EDT
Oh wow! I wish I could give you more than a *10*! What amazing photo's! Great job on the closeups!
Amazing! When I was a kid, we saw quite a few of these, and over the years, it's so very rare to see any at all. I know they've been on the endangered list for quite some time, but you managed to get a great photo of one. Wow.
Marilyn
strongthrufight E. Sep 27, 2008, 10:58pm EDT
it looks like it wants to talk or ask you what you're doing, I just love these creatures!
Dena Straughn Sep 28, 2008, 9:41pm EDT
Great job. Hope your daughter gets a chance.
Cindy P. Oct 1, 2008, 10:40am EDT
Really neat bugs! They're suppose to be good luck! I love those old wives' tales. Great photos, I love the eyes!
Pam H. Oct 4, 2008, 8:13am EDT
Those eyes are huge

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