Mantis Found Praying

When I was growing up in Upstate New York, I used to find Praying Mantis and Stick Bugs (I don't know what they're called, but the look just like a stick) all the time. They would always be sitting along the foundation of our house. At some point, I just stopped seeing them. I'd say I was probably about 9 years old when that happened. I had no idea where they all went. 

Last night, I was walking into my apartment building and got a little startled by whatever the giant bug I saw outside the corner of my eye was. I turned around and there it was... a Praying Mantis! I could not believe it. I was so excited! I took a picture with my Blackberry - it didn't turn out well, but here it is anyway.

This moment really brought me back to my childhood. It was really incredible. I am totally fascinated by this creature for some reason. It's not even the fact that the women bite the man's head off after sex. It's something more than that. They are just so original looking. I'm not even really a bug person per say, but these ones got me. 

I was so psyched by this that I just wanted to share it. Hopefully I didn't gross you out with the picture.