Saturday, January 12, 2019

Teeny critter; giant squash

Yesterday I'd been tidying and watering the garden below my veranda rail at the shop, when I felt a light sensation in my hair! I turned to Colette who was standing on the steps alongside my garden to take a look. It was a teeny praying mantis. She gently picked it off my head and placed it in the abundant potted greenery outside her shop.

 I managed a few  snaps as it crept around and behind the geranium leaves looking for shelter. 

 Although it looks magnified in the photo, due to my zooming in on it, the tiny praying mantis was only about and inch long

Back at home, my garden is thriving. Mainly with pumpkins (butternuts) and new potatoes. It's mid-summer here in South Africa and the temperatures have been unbearably hot and dry. Our rains just aren't arriving and the daily temps are in excess of 37 degrees Celsius /  98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. The gem squashes in my garden are the size of a soccer ball. 
  The giant sized gem squash in my garden at home 
 Another lighter variety of the same gem squash 
These two squashes are enough for a family of eight! 

I'm linking to Saturday Critters with Eileen here

HAPPY SATURDAY TO YOU ALL! 
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14 comments:

  1. William Kendall12 January, 2019 19:16

    The mantis looks so alien.

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  2. Out on the prairie12 January, 2019 19:28

    I like to eat squash sometimes with gravy.

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  3. MadSnapper12 January, 2019 19:55

    your squash is loving the dry hot summer. they look wonderful. so sweet of your friend to save the tiny bug from your hair. he sure is camoflauged for foilage

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  4. Powell River Books12 January, 2019 20:38

    Way back when I taught school I somehow got a praying mantis to have in the classroom for a time. If I recall correctly, I had to buy crickets at the pet store to feed it. - Margy

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  5. Elephant's Child12 January, 2019 22:12

    Our weather is very similar. You have all my sympathies.
    Love the preying mantis. Elegant critters.

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  6. Ann13 January, 2019 00:38

    I was thinking that doesn't look like a tiny praying mantis to me. Glad you said it was magnified.
    The squash look great.

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  7. Lea13 January, 2019 02:43

    Always delighted to see a praying mantis, but not in my hair! Though, of course, I know they are harmless.

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  8. diane b13 January, 2019 03:21

    We are having those kind of temperatures too. the mantis would have been a nice looking hair clip. Love your big squash.

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  9. Anu13 January, 2019 08:27

    Hello. Lovely post. Very tiny critter and very big squashes. Great photos.

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  10. Margaret Birding For Pleasure13 January, 2019 09:14

    Your squash are enormous Jo. Hope your rain comes soon

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  11. Jenn Jilks13 January, 2019 15:18

    Happy Sunday, now!
    It's lovely seeing the greens, as we fight with the cold.
    (ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

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  12. Gaelyn13 January, 2019 23:35

    Your squash look good. Bummer about the lack of rain. Last talked to Joan, the coast is cold and wet like winter.

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  13. eileeninmd16 January, 2019 00:40

    Hello, your garden looks great. Neat sighting of the praying mantis. So sorry I am late commenting. I am just back from my trip away and catching up. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your day and week ahead. I also appreciate your visit and comment.

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  14. Donna17 January, 2019 13:50

    Well, it’s cold here in Texas...Winter😡
    Love the kitties!
    Hughugs

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Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate your feedback. Jo