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New Zealand praying mantis, Orthodera novaezealandiae.

This female was among various species of insect that visited the viburnum flowers during a short period of sunshine at lunchtime. As a carnivore she was not there for the nectar. A big fat drone fly would be more to her liking, and there were plenty of them. Judging by the size of her abdomen she has not yet laid her eggs.

Large

The first day of winter- there's a feeling of spring in the air. More and more birds are singing their spring territorial songs. In the garden I see hyacinths, bluebells, snowflakes, daffodils and crocuses pushing into the light. I don't mind if we skip winter.