Country Critters # 1 and # 2

So I decided to start another photo series, this time documenting/identifying the various/sundry insects and/or other living things to be found around/in our new house. We've only been here two weeks, but already, I've noticed a tenfold increase in the number and diversity of bug types hanging out around here. I suspect it's because we actually have trees and the house is 20 years old vs our previous suburban hell (also affectionately called "Taupe Village" or "Brown Town"..you know, those housing developments where every house is a shade of brown or tan). I digress..

Aside from the million + 1 spiders I've already seen, I'm hoping to re-find the praying mantis and large beetle with the huge pinchers that was making a beeline for my foot two days ago. And then there was that newt-like thing behind the garage. I'm telling you, it's a jungle out there!

So here are the first two pictures, taken yesterday. We're obviously dealing with a walking stick and a beetle of some sort. The walking stick was on the garage and was about 4 inches long (I'm going to start using my cell phone for dimensional comparison but didn't think about it until later). The beetle was walking through the sunroom, probably on his way to tea or something. He curled up in a ball when I touched him to put him by the phone.







Definitely expect more Country Critters; trust me, this is only the start..