[JRinPA]

Last night this mantis climbed up the broom handle from a tray of okra I bumped while cleaning birds. A fleck of dove down swirled up and stuck to his right antenna as he hid on the short broom handle and peered out to surveil us. His head was cocked sideways, feather side down, watching me and the dog. Unfortunately as soon as I finished and went to get the camera he broke cover, so the only pictures I got were these. Probably the first thing he did was pull the feather off.

I say he due to long wings but I'm no expert. Approx 3-1/2" head to tail (width of redwood board). Compared to males, females are heavier, thicker, and wings too short for flight.