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LINDA MARAIS

Canon PowerShot SX120IS

LINDA WRITES: I live in the village of Kleinemonde in the Eastern Cape, just up the coast from Port Alfred. My neighbour has beautiful roses in her garden, and that’s where I saw this eyed-flower mantid. I saw it again in the rose bushes every day for about 10 days, and then it disappeared.

This is a nymph. The adults are more green and have fake “eye” markings on their wings to frighten any potential threats.

SHELLEY SAYS: What an interesting creature! It’s perfectly camouflaged on the pink rose – most of us would have walked past oblivious. Luckily Linda is so observant.

This photo is all about contrast: The hot pink rose contrasts beautifully with the soft green background, and the prickly texture of the insect contrasts with the smooth petals. Linda got down low to take the shot, and the mantid is clearly defined as a result. Had she taken the photo from above, it might have got lost against