Late Summer Mantis!

It is late summer here in Japan and that means that the season for macro photography, at least of insects and spiders is coming to a close. However, before that happens, some of the biggest invertebrates are out and ready to get photographed!
Yesterday, I had the great fortune of finding an adult praying mantis amongst the orange cosmos blossoms!

The lighting was great, showing off the colours of the flowers and the sharp details of the mantis' carapace!

A few moments after taking the shot above, the mantis caught a bee!

I like the way it's somewhat hiding the prey item, as though it's a bit shy.

Closer in we can just make out the powdery combs on the bees legs where it collects pollen to bring back to the hive:

And the details of the mantis' throat!

Across the footpath another hunter was patiently waiting:

And bit earlier in the month this large mantis was also hunting in the same patch of cosmos blossoms:

Thank you for taking time to visit my post!