Mantid Release.

About three weeks ago, I was given a mantid pod. We placed it in a large bug zoo and put it underneath the table on the patio for safe keeping. Yesterday morning, they hatched out. We were delighted to find the container teeming with them. I proceeded to place them in several flower beds. Hopefully, we will have a few surviving adults. A couple of years ago, we had a male that lived the entire summer in the herb garden. I'd check on him every day and I'd love to get to do that, again.


Last week, I went on a little vacation. I met up with an old friend that I hadn't seen in years, in a place I'd never been. I spent my first night in Michigan's U.P. in a cabin with my friend, while it poured rain outside. Just as we were drifting off to sleep, lightening struck a huge hemlock about thirty feet from the cabin. The flash was bright red! It rained two of the the other nights I was there, too. But, my tent didn't leak, so it wasn't an issue. The camp site's previous tenants were kind enough to leave behind some cut wood and two deluxe poking sticks.
The days were chilly, the nights were cold and Lake Superior was like ice. I absolutely loved it. I brought along some good eats, we did a little hiking, saw quite a bit of wild life and generally relaxed. I enjoyed it so much, I am planning on going back with Eric in September.


As always, I have a couple of dill patches, that are adjacent to flower beds that attract butterflies. We had quite a few black swallowtail larvae in the dill. We left most of them to fend for themselves, but three were brought in to the safety of the porch to feed on potted dill, raised just for them. Here is one of them, waiting for the morning sun to dry her enough to fly.

I am hoping for a second brood. But, now that I have spread praying mantis all over the place, I don't know how likely that is to happen.

In other insect news:
I photographed this semi-trailer full of honey bees on I-90 and the glow worm turned out to be a firefly larva. Kind of a Duh, now that I think about it.


Passing through Reedstown, the pit has had this majestic hunting target on display. We absolutely cracked up this last week, when we saw that a rider had been added. We think the duct tape is a really nice addition. Classy! I don't know if this helps them to sell more crushed limestone. It does make me laugh when I drive by.

Another thing that makes me laugh are salon names. Eric and I have been photographing salon signs for years. They absolutely take the cake for bad wit. This gem is in Ironwood, MI.