Over time, I have learned to have no expectations about what I might see in our garden. I just go out there with all my senses aware, taking in sights, sounds, fragrances, textures and yesterday, feeling the perspiration beading up quickly on my skin. My weather app said it was 90 but felt like 99. Yep, the humidity had returned with a vengeance. Perfect weather for lots of possibilities!  

I caught sight of a butterfly, an Orange Sulphur, on a Black-eyed Susan. It was moving strangely and something didn't seem quite right. Once I focused the camera on it, the reason was obvious!  It had been caught by a Praying Mantis, which had folded the sulphur's wings forward and was making a breakfast sandwich of it!

Praying Mantis capturing an Orange Sulphur Butterfly on Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida) Praying Mantis eating an Orange Sulphur Butterfly on Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida) Praying Mantis eating an Orange Sulphur Butterfly on Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)

Wow, predation is efficient!  This is the first time I've been privileged to witness it firsthand by this prehistoric creature.  I left it to its breakfast and found 3 Monarch caterpillars, a female Monarch laying eggs and 2 males nectaring. I came back to the Praying Mantis.  It was just hanging out.  I wondered how it could digest a meal upside down.

Praying Mantis on Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)

There was some creepy music going through my head as I watched it lope along the stem.

Praying Mantis on Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)

And now, what's for lunch?  A skipper appetizer, perhaps?

Praying Mantis on Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)