#wasaga

[52stations]

tracy wright, louise liliefeldt, and daniel macivor in wasaga (dir. judith doyle)

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Praying Mantis - Mantis religiosa

For as long as I’ve been bug hunting and photographing insects, I simply haven’t been able to find and observe any Mantids that are out in the wild. Perhaps that’s a testament to their ability to blend into their environment, or perhaps I focus too much on finding other insects. Fortunately for me, Mantids seem to find my friends very easily, and so today we have a short video sent to me from my dear friend up in Wasaga (found in the same location as Post #600) of a Praying Mantis found on the windowsill. I’m extremely appreciative of this clip and the chance to observe some insect behavior from a specimen that remains elusive to me. Also known as the “European Mantis”, this individual is taking a time out in order to clean off its raptorial claws using its mouthparts. While they are formidable predators in the insect world, even Praying Mantids need to be careful, for they too are hunted. As such, they employ a wobbling technique which seemingly mimics an object moving to the breeze. Stick Insects do this too, pretending to be a real stick in the breeze. Mantid wobbling serves multiple functions beyond defensive camouflage. It may also help their ability to ambush prey insects as some insects may be indifferent to nearby objects moving in the breeze. As well, the wobbling may help strengthen their understanding of visual information and allow Mantids to discern overlapping objects in front of them since their point of reference alters as they shift in place. My reading on this behavior is limited right now, but there will be further elaboration on the subtleties of Mantis behavior and characteristics when next I find one. 

Video was recorded on September 2, 2022 in Wasaga with an iPhone X. You can find this video on YouTube (as a Short) now as of May 18, 2025.

[compariisonkills]

ugh

Wahnekewaning Beach, Ontario

[ohwellneverminddd]

[brokeandimpulsive]

Wasaga Beach, Ontario. It was a beautiful day here in Ontario and since Madeline and I (Nikita) had the morning off, we decided to go to the beach. Not just any beach but the worlds largest fresh water one- Wasaga Beach! While it’s a little bit of a ghost town this time of year, it’s still beautiful. The tractors had just finished combing the sand when we got there, and I couldn’t help but take off my flip flops and bury my toes in it. We took Max for a walk down the shore and made plans to come back in the summer. Since it’s so close to home we will definitely be heading back when it’s nice enough to swim. Considering we still have snow banks in some spots, it may be a while yet.

[gifnpixlsmaster]

Knife Party - Electric Elements 2017🎶

[anastaceart]

Her First Sunset. 208/365 #365daysofcolour #car #sunset #abstractphotography #photography #wasaga #ontario #beach #reflection #artistic #picofday #pictureoftheday

[jellygay]

It'd be easier to enjoy Wasaga Beach on Canada Day if it wasn't for the fact we're expecting thunderstorms... 😩😩😩