Male Phainopepla High in a Mesquite Tree — Image by kenne
The phainopepla sits in the mesquite
like a drop of ink that refused to dry.
My naturalist mentor would say
some creatures are born already knowing
how to keep their shine.
When it lifts,
white flashes beneath its wings—
a secret lining
only shown in motion.
— kenne
Praying Mantis Egg Case on a Mesquite Tree Branch — Image by kenne
While taking some children on a nature walk during the Beyond Tucson Event in Sabino Canyon, I reached up to pull down a mesquite tree branch to demonstrate the small leaf size and spotted a praying mantis egg case — a teaching moment. If I had looked for one, it would not have happen.
Later this spring a hundred or more praying mantis’ will emerge from the case.
kenne
