Special bonus post

People always say you should look where you are going. Honestly, I have always found it much more rewarding to look right where I am as I am walking. This probably explains my frequent bumps, bruises, and stumbles, but the stuff you can see is amazing. In my 15 minute walk to the convenience store to get lunch, I saw:

• An orb-web spider about a third of an inch long sitting still in the middle of an almost-perfect web.
• At least four different frogs hiding out the heat of the day in the plant along the edge of the road.
• A dying, jet-black damselfly in the middle of the sidewalk. Even its wings were sheer black; the only color was an iridescent green shine to its head and thorax. I gently picked it up and moved it to the side so no one would step on it.
• Two different species of butterflies which had lived out their natural lives, lying like autumn leaves on the side of the road. Sad that they are dead, but so interesting to see the intricate wings patterns up close and still.
• Dozens of live butterflies, especially white and yellow 'cabbage' butterflies flying among the wildflowers.
• A couple of pillbugs/sowbugs/slaters scurrying along.
• Dozens of ants.
• Two tiny water skimmers zipping along the surfaces of puddles.
• The rear end of a tiny anole as he ran out of the road on hearing me. I heard but did not see another, and I saw one dead and chewed on near the dorm (poor thing).

• A praying mantis! About 1.5 inches, bright light green with a pink tip to its abdomen and intricate bright pink jaws that looked like an orchid. One of my favorite bugs... I even got to hold it for a close look, and got to see it in action as it struck at me when I reached out my hand. Tiny as it was, it gave me a good pinch! They are so amazing. Once I got my hand under it, it was very calm on my hand, and I swear it was studying me just as hard as I was studying it.
• A rather large wasp, which was beautiful but a little intimidating.
  

• I think there were people. Wasn't really paying attention.

All this, and of course, I forgot my camera. Go me.