The Parade of Creatures continues....................
Despite all the disadvantages of living here in the hottest and wettest months of the year, there are some advantages...............if you can call them advantages. One is the fact that we are seeing creatures that probably won't be around in another month or so. Life in the Sonoran Desert is so keyed to the excesses of the monsoon season. Everything takes advantage of the moisture to reproduce and gorge itself on the abundance. Every night PJ goes outside with a dive light to see what new creature will be around. It never takes long before something new is spotted. Tonight was the night of the Phasmatodea and the Mantodea, better known as Walking Sticks and Praying Mantis. They have suddenly appeared in abundance. This guy was about 4 inches long; easily the largest Walking Stick PJ had ever seen. The mantis' are very common at night. This one is about 3-4 inches long and is currently eating something so it has little interest in the cricket in the foreground. Can't wait f