The Nature Photography Thread

[EasternGirl]

I thought it was against the law to kill a praying mantis. My mother was bit by one. It jumped off a bush and bit her.

[ConcinusMan]

I thought it was against the law to kill a praying mantis.

That's an urban legend and completely false. It has never been illegal to kill a praying mantis in any U.S. state, nor is there any federal protection for mantids. No species of mantid is listed as threatened or endangered in the U.S. There are no fines for killing them. Furthermore, mantids are present in, but not native to, many states. Obviously, any non-native introduced species is not protected.

I think you happen to have a native mantis there though. Carolina mantis. In many states, chinese mantids and european mantids thrive after being introduced. In most of the country you actually have a better chance of finding a non-native species, than a native one.

[Stefan-A]

Viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara)





Aeshna sp.





Common adder (Vipera berus), probably somewhere between 1-3 years of age, typical coloration for a subadult.

[guidofatherof5]

Very nice.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Awesome pics stefan! I love the adder.

[EasternGirl]

Great pics! Well, it's good to know that about the praying mantis.

[ConcinusMan]

Awesome pics

[Invisible Snake]

Hey Stefan were you really close to the adder? And if so did he attempt to strike at you?

[Stefan-A]

Thanks, everyone.

Hey Stefan were you really close to the adder? And if so did he attempt to strike at you?

Well, I had my boot within striking distance a few times, but I had the wrong lens for close-up work. I almost had to stand on my toes to get the camera to focus when the snake was at my feet.

[ProXimuS]

Awesome pics! I really like the dragonfly Are all Adders venomous? I always think of "Puff Adders" when I hear Adder, and I know they're venomous. (I assume that's why Invisible Snake was asking if it struck at you.)