Late summer in the prairie

[jtb1951]

Today was a pleasant late summer day, perfect for a stroll through the Morton Arboretum's restored prairie, and a view of late summer blossoms, as evidenced by some attached pics. But we got a bonus; at the end of our hike, as we were leaving the prairie, we came upon a praying mantis which had just snagged a bumblebee. Those photos are in the next post. Enjoy!

John.

[jtb1951]

I have never seen this in person before!

John.

[Strawberry Curls]

Amazing photos, John, but I have to admit the ones of the praying mantis sort of creeped me out. :eek:

[jtb1951]

I have to admit the ones of the praying mantis sort of creeped me out.

Thank you, and congrats on 2000 posts!!!

John.

[KarenB]

WOW!!! Those are amazing, John! Thank you for sharing them. I could just see the praying mantis thinking, "Hmm, skip the wings, how about a crunchy leg before I work on the fuzzy middle bit."

[Strawberry Curls]

Thank you, and congrats on 2000 posts!!!

John.Ha, I hadn't notice, but thanks for pointing it out, John. I guess that makes me a senior, senior member. :D:D:D

Karen, your praying mantis monologue was probably pretty close but let me say eeewwwwww. LOL

[jtb1951]

I could just see the praying mantis thinking, "Hmm, skip the wings, how about a crunchy leg before I work on the fuzzy middle bit."

Almost sounds like a Monty Python sketch, Karen:)!

John.

[Donna]

John,

Terrific shots and great illustrations for a lazy "Indian Summer" - hope that's still politically correct since I have always liked the images the days at the end of the summer invoke. (I can always claim the bit of Cherokee that has been handed down my way too if necessary.) It was a great way to spend the day with camera, DW (I assume) and God's creation basking under the fading summer sun... :)

So Strawberry; do we now address you as "venerable"? (hehehe) :D
VSC of the VBC does have rather a catchy ring to it!

Karen, you must be a SciFi fan. Did you know that The Fly is now an Opera?

And Pat, the boys of summer are still playing - could be a Tiger / Dodger WS... now wouldn't that be something? :D:D:D

[Hivedweller]

Stunning photos John. You have a real eye for catching the small details. I tend to look for the sweeping panoramas and not notice the intriguing mini-tableaus all around me. Thanks for the reminder to be more short sighted!

[Roxanne]

John:

As always, great photos. Thank you for thinking to share them with us.

The Praying Mantis photos are amazing and fascinating. I can't wait to show them to DD.

I hope that you are doing well.

Roxanne

[Pat Floyd]

John, as always your pictures are a continuing source of pleasure and beauty. Thank you. The close-up of the praying mantis reminds me of something I would expect to see on Star Trek.

[tangential1]

the ones of the praying mantis sort of creeped me out. :eek:

I'm stuck somewhere between fascinated and grossed out, myself.:p

Excellent photos John! Especially awesome with the new new photoviewer here.

[LindaE]

What a beautiful place. I had no idea that the prairie looked like this. Great pictures, John.

[Millie]

Great picturs, John. I love the praying mantis. So, when are you going to start a photography for dummies thread?