...unless I get one in the very act of catching a meal (my last mantis project).

These are from a few mornings ago. Mantises have been an interesting project as they are by far the largest insect I've shot. No chance getting the entire bug in focus. Toying between capturing just parts of it or having large parts OOF.

The last two remind me of puppies at play :p

No room for a tripod so no free hands for reflectors/strobes.
all at ISO 200
300mm with tubes
all natural lighting and shadows
handheld

i really like the second one, where he is stalking his prey (or ris that just part of the anthers)in the flower, good job. i think the comp and flower make it better due to having habitat around the subject. in fact i think i like it the best out of your mantid series. but the ones where they are actually eatting are still unique and interesting.

Hey two is really cool. I like the fact that you were able to keep the mantises and the flower in the same plane thus having both in focus. Besides that it's just a very good composition. I've loved all the mantises stuff.

These are great. I agree with the others, the second one that has the flower also in focus is really cool.

Awesome images Loupey! I have to agree, that second one is incredifantabulous. :thumbsup::D