Wednesday, September 18, 2013

lurking

It was a quiet day, though the morning started with a lurking visitor to my hummingbird feeder.

i could hear the hummingbirds yelling (squeakily) at the invaded feeder

A pretty big mantis can actually take down a hummingbird (yes, it's true, not a crazy snopes story), so I'm not sure what this guy's intentions were, but he got moved to a nearby rose bush.

But later Major and I went and took a relaxing walk around the neighborhood. We've had some nice bareback forest jaunts, and little rides, but still taking it easy with no plans this year. So we had a really exciting walk:

Finding a nice bunch of grass to eat.

just take the whole weed with you

Major likes to check out the better addresses.

this place looks good, let's move here

And find a nice tasting moss rock.

mmm, moss

Playing with buddy Cisco.

it's all fun and games till someone loses a fly mask

Then back home to a tiny flake of crack (alfalfa). But beware, someone else is lurking and  watching, biding his time, ready to take down larger prey.

lurking below

creeping above

I see my next prey, just give me time...



4 comments:

  1. I love mantids! And I love hearing about you and Major hanging out together :)

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  2. I did not know that about hummingbirds, and now I'm totally creeped out by the mantises...uhh...manti? Not sure of the plural, but if I see one, I'm running!

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    1. Oh, but mantids are amazing! In the spring the babies are tiny perfect replicas of the parents, and by fall some are brown, some stay green, but none live more than a season here. A fleeting life, they eat many pests, and when I find the egg cases over winter I am happy for another spring.

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  3. Ahahaha that last shot is hilarious. If only Major knew he'd have himself a little fit! Such incredible little creatures.

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