Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Katydid Visit

A couple of weeks ago, I discovered a katydid nymph perched on the venetian blinds in an upstairs window. I have no idea how it got up there – perhaps it hitchhiked on a pant leg or sleeve. I brought it a slice of Granny Smith apple, and it immediately climbed right on and began to eat. After I carried it downstairs, it was in no hurry to leave the plate, so I let it savor its gourmet dinner of fruit, then set it outside. A day or two later, when I was out on the deck, I felt a tickle on my left arm and looked down to find another miniature katydid. Hello. On closer inspection, I saw that it was tasting my skin as it wandered along my arm. That gave me the opportunity to really lean in and check it out again: the minuscule striped antennae, the partial iridescent green, the long sawtooth legs. Beautiful. Yes, I’m paying attention.

“Attentiveness is the natural prayer of the soul.”
Nicolas Malebranche, French philosopher

The photo of the katydid nymph was taken on 7/6/08.

6 comments:

Pam said...

I am really enjoying all your close looking Chris, both in photo and word.

Admin said...

ahhhhh so awesome!!! what a beautiful little bug!

Christine said...

Thanks, Pam...I'm enjoying the looking! Lots to focus on this summer. I'm going to your blog next!

Christine said...

I appreciate that, and will check out your blog (vesper de vil) now, too. Thanks for visiting!

ann said...

Chris--I love this! When I get my girls to stop freaking out about a bug and start watching them we are mesmerized.

Christine said...

Thanks for checking it out, Ann! I watched one on a morning glory blossom last year at about the same time in July. They eat morning glories, too. The katydid left a dainty bean-shaped hole in the flower.