“A-one, an-a-two…”

(With apologies to Lawrence Welk fans!)
I went out to mow the lawn and saw this guy on the driveway. He was very patient as I came inside, changed lenses, went out and snapped several frames, went back inside to change lenses again (and added a close-up filter) and went back outside for the rest of our photo session, which lasted 12 minutes.

Confirmed at bugguide.net as a male Stagmomantis carolina or “Carolina mantid”; see this image and four others (including a good shot of all 5 eyes!) at http://bugguide.net/node/view/704610

Notes. exp. 1/400 sec. at f/7.1, ISO 100, 250mm (so not a true “macro” shot). From foreground-to-background, you can see just how “shallow” the field of focus is!

A year ago (“‘“Cool” shadows’?”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-09-15

For the young ones who don’t “get” the title reference, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Welk#Early_life (4th paragraph)!

[Tara]

That is a very funny pose and your caption is perfect!

[Sue]

haha! that is great, love the pose and the caption...your focus is spot on!
he looks to be conducting an orchestra

[Jill]

Awesome catch! Your title is just perfect :)

[Karen bable]

I love this. Strike up the marching band!

[cohare]

amazing picture!

[👑 AnaZad]

Oh Thom, this must be FAVed. Amazing capture of this very patient mantis.

[Chris]

Wow! beautiful captured of this "dancing mantis".

[Rick Schies]

He was either ready to go at it with the orchestra, or you were about to get a good swift kick from the crane, if you remember Karate Kid.

[Ellen E]

Oh man that's cute! Great catch!

[Lisa Pouncy]

That's so funny :o) xx

[Erin Seney]

Absolutely awesome! (And love your interpretation - I was thinking he might be casting a spell...)

[Kerri]

Awesome. Fav

[Heidi]

Hilarious caption to a fabulous macro shot. Fav for me!

[elaine]

Very funny shot. You were very fortunate he posed for you so long!

[MaryBeth Dailey]

250 mm is my kind of macro! Haha this is priceless! I am laughing so hard! I just put up a post yesterday of a bug with arms flung wide also! Yours is way cuter! I love his wings back there! He was a great model!

[MaryBeth Dailey]

Fav!

[Thom Mitchell]

@espyetta I have come around, particularly since I'm photographing leps and bugs 'n' stuff: the 55-250mm lens is the default now. Channeling espyetta! :)

[Joyce Wells]

Fav, Thom - another one I need to show my students! Just perfect timing for this shot - so funny!

[Vicki Dixon]

so awesome! I just love the position you captured him in! those wings are really showing too! I found my first one for the summer tonight! so excited to post it!

[Vicki Dixon]

fav

[Livia]

Fantastic posture that you've captured! Very cool. 8)

[Michelle]

Oh my.... this is totally awesome.. Favd :)

[Cassandra Hoffmann]

This is awesome!! Love your commentary and "photo session" lol.

[Sheri]

This is fantastic! These are such amazing creatures...

[Inty Malcolm]

Heh, excellent work!. Fav'd

[Clare]

Truly amazing. I cant believe you stumble across a mantis - nothing more than slugs in my garden!

[Leslie Manna]

LOVE this! A one-of-a-kind posture! First thing I thought of when I saw this??? "Shall We Dance", from The King and I. hahaha Saw this on the PP - Congratulations, Les

[Caryn]

How did I miss this one?! Very cool shot! Fav!

[April Milani]

This is by far a FAV!!! Made me giggle!!!

[Ann Stenson]

Outstanding Thom! Fav : )

[elaine]

Congrats on the popular vote!

[Carolyn White]

Awesome capture, Thom!!! I've never seen one in a pose like this. I remember Lawrence Welk and his bubbles. I spent the night with my grandparents on Friday nights and we always watched it. :0)

[Carolyn White]

This is a fav! :0)

[Linda Lorraine]

FAV - never seen one of these before! YOWSA that's a cool capture and amazing that he was so cooperative

[Nada A.]

What a find!

[ladyjane]

Can't believe I missed this. Awesome! Fav.

[Mags]

LOL! That is too funny! Thank you for the laugh today!