Backyard Nature

Every once in a while, something emerges in the yard that makes one realize that nature has hidden surprises. Janell happened to be looking in the right spot this afternoon and spotted a large walking stick. These things are so weird looking and camoflaged that if it hadn't been in a place to get water, she probably wouldn't have seen it. We have a wire around our pool landscaping to keep the dog out, and the bug was haning from it, getting water from the sprinkler. I guess with all our dry weather, it came out of hiding to rehydrate. The thing looks just like a multipronged twig, and if it was on the ground or a tree, I doubt you could see it. I was pretty impressed with its size; it must be about 8" long. As of this writing, it's gone back to wherever walking sticks hang out down here.

Want to know more (I'm sure you do), then go to http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/stick-insect.html.