It hides silently behind branches and leaves, pretending to be a part of the foliage. It even sways it’s body gently as a soft puff of wind brushes through, patiently awaiting unsuspecting prey. The Stick Mantis is long, thin, brown, and moves stealthily when maneuvering through the branches.

When it was spotted, it remained motionless, except for the occasional glance stolen in my direction, before hiding it’s body behind the branches. With it’s length at over 6cm, it is typically difficult to shoot this mantis without a messy background.

#1 My lanky subject, found hiding behind this branch

#2 With a slight change in angle, I was able to get an entirely different background

#3 Occasionally, it would turn it’s head in my direction for a quiet, irritated stare

#4 In fact, the stare was affixed on me!?

#5 Reaching the end of the branch

#6 Time to attempt a closer shot!!

#7 Grumpy when I got really close at it’s face

#8 Getting ready for a passport photo, smile will ya!!!

The morning was dampened with rain, so just a small handful of little subjects to share. 🙂

#9 Cricket climbing onto the body of a dead ant, which is likely to be infected with mind-controlling cordyceps

#10 Looks like a Gram Blue (Euchrysops cnejus cnejus) More information can be found on the ButterflyCircle website.

#11 A faded Nigger (Orsotriaena medus cinerea ) More information on this butterfly here.

#12 Dragonfly. Really bad at identifying dragonflies as many of them really look identical!

#13 Mating stink bugs, a very common sight at Admiralty Park

#14 Ant basking in the morning sun

The complete album can be viewed here.

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