Male Mantis in Rain - D700, 70-200mm w/500D

This spring I watched a mantis egg sack hatch in the yard, they were very small then but they have been eating good since… I found five in the garden one day, three females and two males. Here are two recent shots of the males. Both were shot with a Nikon D700 at ISO 800 with a 70-200mm with a Canon 500D close-up filter, hand-held. Yes it’s HEAVY but it takes pretty good close-ups.

Click images to view a little larger…

Here’s a 100% view of the mantis head from the first image:

Male Mantis in Rain 100% View

Here’s the other male checking me out as I take his photo…

Male Mantis in Rain 2 - D700, 70-200 w/500D

and here’s a 100% view of his head…

Male Mantis in Rain 2 - 100% View