ART PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography Staff and student submissions Australia
Praying Mantis, Queensland It has five eyes, can span up to six inches long and a head that revolves 180 degrees. Among all these idiosyncrasies, it is the four prominent legs that the Praying Mantis is named after, with the insect you see crouched in the photograph crouching in a prayerlike stance. Generally, you'll find they prefer warmer climates, particularly around tropical and subtropical latitudes. Though the majority are thus found in Asia, others are also dotted around the globe, with 20 species being native to the USA, or a much more substantial estimate of 160 species in Australia, such as this one found in Queensland. Though small, the Mantis is mighty: surviving off a carnivorous diet, you can often find one munching on a variety of insects, such as moths, crickets, flies or... other Praying Mantises? Yes, you read that right: adult females often chomp down on their mate just after—or even during—mating, though explanations as to why are hazy.
Lorikeets, Sydney Pictured below are Sparkles and Lollipop, two lorikeets in Sydney, Australia (we're not sure which one is which, though). A special thank you to Tony Dear, a friend of Miss Black's who took both photographs!
Miss Black, Drama-PGC | Tony Dear
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