An alien on my shoulder
I got home the other night after a hard day at the RUC and poured myself a wine. I looked down and in front of me on the outside table was none other than Tic Tac the gecko! I recognised him immediately (because he’d been so up-close-and-personal on my nose when we first met). I don’t know how he got up on the table (right in front of where I normally sit), but he just hung out there and watched me for a while. I asked him if he was hungry and tried to give him some of my tomato sandwich, but he wouldn’t eat it (go figure).
So I went inside to get the camera to take some pics of him and as I walked into the kitchen something tapped me on the shoulder. I turned to see alien eyes. I squealed and flicked the thing away. Strangely enough it came back and landed on me twice more so I managed to get some pics of it.
WARNING: IF CREEPY CRAWLIES SCARE YOU – RUN AWAY NOW!
What do you think of those ‘alien’ eyes? No wonder it scared the crap life out of me when I saw it on my shoulder. (PS – that hairy hand isn’t mine) 😉
What’s happening here? Am I turning into some kind of weird creature magnet?
In the past few weeks I’ve been inundated with creatures. A few of you have suggested that it’s because I need to get back to my WIP In the Company of Beasts, so I’m setting some time aside this week to get back into writing (before I’m carried off to some kind of nest somewhere!)
Dianne Gray author 
Eeeek!! What IS that thing?? I’m just off to bed, and will probably have nightmares after seeing your photo. 😯
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LOL – It’s a prey mantis, Sylvia. YIKES! 😀
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PS: I didn’t even notice the hairs on the hand. 🙂 I was too mesmerised by the pink goggle-eyed TV aerial.
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There’s no way I’d hold it to get a pic – it kept jumping at the camera!
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You are one brave woman, Dianne Gray. You do not scare easily that’s for sure!
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I was a little scared, Dan – particularly when I turned and saw the thing on my shoulder and those eyes goggling at me! LOL 😀
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wow – that is quite the creature! great photo too!
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I should sell it to Hollywood! 😉
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I love weird creatures! And this one is terrific looking. 🙂
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It’s amazing! It’s been back again and always flies towards me 😉
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I think it’s very cool. What big eyes it has! (The better to eat you with… LOL)
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That is most probably the scariest thing I’ve ever seen, worse than green ants even. I would so be on the first stagecoach outta there wearing a beekeepers outfit.
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LOL! It is pretty scary looking (and they’re carnivores which makes it worse!) 😯
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Me too, Roy. 😆
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Come on, Dianne – no need to be ashamed of your hairy hand. It’s a sign of good health, after all! 🙂
I’ve never seen a mantis like that before. Why, instead of green and woodsy-looking, is it pink and terrifying? I think you are turning into an animal magnet.
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It was a really weird colour, Janna – it’s body was odd (not green at all, but mottled woodsy brown). It’s eyes were bright pink (they’re the first things I saw when it was on my shoulder).
Okay – Ok, I admit, I’ll never make it in the hand modelling business 😀
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I think it’s an albino praying mantis.
I also think you need to change the title of your WIP . . . obviously that title is acting like a magnet for all manner of beastie. 😯
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LOL! I think you’re right, Nancy! 😀
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I’m thinking Tic Tac Gecko has a crush on you, and Alien Bug is jealous. It’s the only logical conclusion.
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You’ve hit the nail on the head, Carrie. I’m worried about Tic Tac now because the mantis is a carnivore 😯
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I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the Tic Tac…
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Thanks for the update on tic-tac. My how he has grown! But what name have you given the “alien?” I swear, you are gathering this critter fodder for a new book. Thanks for sharing the fun! Barb
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I don’t know what to name the Alien, Barb. He doesn’t really look like a ‘Barry’ to me – I’ll think about it (LOL) 😉
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I can picture it now–you sitting there writing In the Company of Beasts while thousands of animals lurk around you like Dr. Doolittle or Ace Ventura. Sounds like you got a plethora of muses. {{{hugs]}} Kozo
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They’re (literally) coming out of the woodwork, Kozo!
As long as flies don’t start buzzing around me I’ll be right (LOL) 😀
{{{Hugs}}} to you, my friend 😉
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Well if he (is it a he?) gets you to carve out a decent slice of time to write again then he’s my new best friend…as long as he’s just a photo on a screen! Seriously weird looking, but harmless I guess. You’d better get down to satisfying that impatient muse! The next creature might not be so…pink?!
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LOL – his eyes are VERY pink! What a weird looking thing he is. Not harmless to other insects because he eats them, so I’m glad he’s relatively small and doesn’t feast on humans! I think he may get a start in one of my stories 😀
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OH holy crap! I get it now…the saying curiosity killed the cat…i saw the alert message and I said to myself i shouldn’t scroll anymore , don’t do it. But I was so darn curious i kept scrolling…and nearly fell out of my chair screaming.
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Hahahaha! That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard in a long time 😀 I screamed when I saw it as well (and it was on my shoulder) YIKES!
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eeewarrrrgh….areyousuretheRUCisforyouorinfactDarwin?
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I think Darwin would love it! 😉
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Ok. Those eyes totally creep me out. Is there any way you can make sure he doesn’t follow you to the RUC?? Please tell me there is.
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I’ll just get in the car and drive as fast as I can (hopefully it’s not hiding in the back seat like one of those serial killers you read about!) 😯
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Everyone knows all lizards are called lizzy Tuts 🙂
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‘Lizzy Tuts’ is certainly an interesting name! 😉
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That’s going to stick now 🙂
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You’re not the only one
I found that guy waiting for me outside my building last summer. (Hope that picture shows up.)
I love your creature photos, as always. 😀
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Maybe they’re related 😉 I was a bit hesitant about posting this one in case one of my readers fell off their chair (which I think happened) lol 😀
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Ahh I knew it wouldn’t show up! Let me try this..
Last summer’s creeper
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Ah – I see him! He’s a big scary one as well! 😀
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Surprisingly, (as fearful as I am of most insects) I hear these lil’ guys are harmless. If he would’ve jumped on me I might’ve had a small heart attack, though.
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There! Doesn’t he look like he’s doing the Dr. Evil pinky thing?
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I love the way he’s hiding around the corner!
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He was definitely a Peeping Tom!
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when I was a kid I used to play with praying mantis bugs. I thought they were fascinating. I think though that the little gecko is going to be fine, unless he eats the mantis. I don’t think the mantis will eat the gecko, he’s more into littlier bugs. If the gecko sticks around and grows up he should have a nice snack every time you come around since you attract the bugs. hahaha. 😉
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Maybe that’s why he’s hanging around me, Jackie – I’m a bug magnet and he knows where the food is going to be. LOL 😀
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Aww, it’s a praying mantis!!! I love praying mantis. Don’t kill it. They are awesome in your home and are thought in many cultures to bring amazing luck.
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I would never kill anything. I love creatures of all kinds 😉 Amazing luck, eh? YAY – it’s my bestest friend 😀
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Oh, I don’t mean ‘you’ kill it. Try to keep it happy. They are amazing critters. I love his colors. So cool. He’ll be like your conscience sitting on your shoulder. 🙂 You’re own Max Mantis. 🙂
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I love the name “Max” Mantis. It suits him! 😀
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I LOVE that photo..he’s just pretty cool. I say that from half way around the world, course! 🙂
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Creatures look so much better when they’re not ON you, Bonnie 😀 He does have very cool eyes and an odd speckled body. I’m not sure what to name him and I’m thinking hard about it 😉
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That’s a great photo of the praying mantis. I like them but I think I’d shriek if he surprised me.
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I shrieked, Nancy! The eyes were the first thing I saw when it was on my shoulder. But overall he is a pretty cool looking thing 😉
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Thank you Dianne, my day is perfect now. Ha,ha,ha,ha! Glad you’re getting back to your writing, although these are hardly what I’d call subtle hints! lol, If you do get carried off to a nest somewhere be sure and bring your camera with! 🙂
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I’ll hang my camera around my neck, Penny, just in case it happens quickly! I’m so glad your day is perfect 😀
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🙂
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Ahhh… How cute is Tic Tac! *squeal* I also think the praying mantis is awesome. I’ve never seen a pink one before. We have the usual garden variety green and brown ones around the place.
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I’ve never seen a pink one before either. It’s an amazing looking thing and it keeps coming back and flying at me – I don’t know why it’s attracted to me (maybe we have the same face – LOL!) 😉
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That mantis(?) looks a lot like I did, leaving the Steppenwolf concert in 1969. 😉
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You were born to be wild as well, Tim! 😉
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Not really. Pretty tame.
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LOL! Drinking to much of that Mango Juice, huh? 🙂
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Uuuhhhh. Yeah. That’s it. Mango juice. Makes my eyes bug out every time. 😉
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OMG… so creepy. I don’t know how I would deal with something like that but wish you all the luck! Hope writing helps!
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Thanks, Tiffany! I hope writing helps as well and doesn’t just attract more if them 😯
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Dianne, what a bizarre creature! You have your share of bugs there. Is it a pink praying mantis?? Whoa…watch out! I guess you’ll always want to have your camera nearby.
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It is a pink praying mantis, Amy, and I’ve never seen one like it before. It keeps coming back and wants to land on me all the time (good grief!). I’ll just have to try and talk to it nicely about ‘personal space’ LOL 😀
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You get gecko’s and mantis’ but we aren’t so lucky. We picked up our RV from the shop where it had been for the previous two weeks and what did I find but a mouse freshly caught in one of our traps. Oh dear….. I hope we don’t have to deal with getting rid of a family of mice again this year. Putting Journey into storage leads to unwanted visitors.
But, Diane, we got an offer on our house today. Our hope of going mobile looks like it’s getting closer.
Peter
A retired photographer looks at life
Peter Pazucha dot Com
Life Unscripted on WordPress
P.S.: you can keep the mantis’s — I’m ok with the gecko, but mantis’ are creepy (to me).
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Congrats on the house offer, Peter – that’s fantastic! 😀
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I think the message is you’re surrounded by life, embrace it. 🙂 Or it could be you need more insect screens. 🙂 Or it could mean these creatures want to be in your stories. Or …
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…it could mean anything 😀 I’m definitely getting insect screens in the RUC!
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Tic Tac.. GREAT name 🙂
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Glad you like it, Letizia! 😉
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I believe in messages sometimes and if you say your WIP has the word ‘beasts’ in it, then I think it is a reminder. Or you can take it as such! And Tic Tac – thanks for the LOL
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I’ve been told there are messages everywhere, but we just have to know where to look for them, Jenny. But for me they just seem to come up and hit me in the face 😉
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Are you kidding? That alien eats meat? I hope you sleep in a vacuum cuz he’s gonna chow down on you whilst you slumber! That is the creepiest looking bug ever! Must have escaped from the samples secretly brought back from Mars. 😉 Gekko dude better sleep with one eyeball wide open!
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He’s pretty awesome, John! Maybe he did come from Mars, we had a wicked meteor storm the evening before he arrived!
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SEE!! I was right!! Just ask my wife – usually am right! 😉 Glad your home is looking so good Dianne. 🙂
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Jaysus….I am telling you ….I am soooooo scairt to come and visit….is that thing real?!?!?!?!?
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LOL – you crack me up, Katie. Yes, it’s real and it kept trying to jump on the camera while I was getting pics. These are cute – I’ll even let you hold one if you ever come over to AUS 😀
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I am so envious! I want pink insects! 😉 So happy to see Tic Tac is doing well.
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I know a few people who LOVE pink things and I’m sure they would love this fella, Maddie. Tic Tac has grown and I’m pretty happy about his progress (there are lots of thing here that can eat him, but he seems to be thriving) 😀
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I think Tic Tac has become your personal mascot. Take him to the RUC!
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I think I will take him out there. He’d absolutely love it – I’ll put him in my ‘writer’s nook’ 😀
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I prefer my creepy crawlies in stories than in person, thank you. I don’t live on the southeast coast of the USA because it has so many bugs. Yuck! California–dry, hot, the worst I get is ants.
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We have a lot of bugs here, Jackie and I’d forgotten how many until we came back. I’m not really used to them anymore (but I guess I’ll just have to get used to them!) 😉
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Love Tic Tac, btw. Geckos are so cool.
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Geckos are the coolest. They eat the mosquitoes – what more could you ask or want from a little friend! 😀
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I enjoy our geckos here in Florida, but our praying mantis are green and stay on their leaves! That is one impressive bug. Is there any way you can find out if it’s an albino?
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I’ll try to find out. I’m not sure how but someone around this area might know 😉
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Omgosh!! Freaky!!!
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I told you not to look! (LOL) 😉
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How curious the creature looks!
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Very curious indeed, Casandra! 😀
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Too funny, curious I Googled “pink praying mantis” and got http://www.mantispets.com/mantids-for-sale.html and http://www.keepinginsects.com/praying-mantis/species/giant-asian-mantis/. I think your little buddy is a Giant Asian Mantis. Apparently they are great pets. Maybe Max Mantis is just looking for a new human much like cats do 🙂 Glad to hear all is well with Tic Tac, it would be great if you could relocate him/her to the RUC 🙂
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Good grief! Thank you so much for all this info – no wonder it’s so keen to hang around! It just keeps coming back and wanting to sit on me LOL now I know all it wants is a home. You’re amazing for finding all this out. Max is going to be very happy here indeed 😉
I will relocate Tic Tac to the RUC – I haven’t seen a gecko there yet because they haven’t discovered it to settle in yet, so he’ll be the first and probably end up KING OF THE GECKOS there 😉
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I’m sorry, Dianne, but I quite like the Mantis. I’ve never seen a pink one before, only green or tan ones here in the states. Do keep Manny away from darling TicTac or he will become his next meal! Thanks for sharing your critters with us. You do like to keep us entertained! 😉
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I’ve never seen a pink one before either, Lynda, but someone just told me it is a Giant Asian Mantis and they like being kept as pets (like a cat!) This makes sense now because it won’t leave me alone. I’m making sure Manny stays away from Tic Tac because I’m not sure who will try to eat who 😯
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Wow, its pretty scary at yours lol
xx
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Only when they take you by surprise, Vikki – lol 😉
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Geckos I can probably handle, but I cannot stand any creatures that can jump or fly. I always have nightmares of them getting into my clothes! That mantis looks absolutely terrifying. Its eyes are definitely alien-like!
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I certainly wouldn’t like this guy in my clothes! Yikes 😯
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Yuck! That thing is freaky looking! Talk about bug-eyed!
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Now I know where that term comes from and will probably laugh next time someone says they were ‘bug-eyed’ lol 😀
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That is the strangest looking creature…The other day, while working out in my yard I came across a weird creative also….it looked like a ball of fuzz…white, it was floating in the air…I grabbed it and noticed it was alive and moving around….soooo weird!
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YIKES! I really don’t know what that could have been, but it sounds more alien than the pink eyed mantis.
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Yikes! Would have scared the crap out of me too! I feel like I’m a bug magnet…I don’t get them on me (yet, thank God) but I feel like I’m always the first to notice them. Creepy things, ugh.
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You would have seen a few on your recent holiday, Lily! You must have a good eye for looking out for them, I’m always the last one to notice them (and this is probably why they end up ON me) lol 😀
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Ugh, why do places with nice weather have so many bugs? Yikes! A roach semi-crawled over my foot once…feel better? It’s not just you. 😉
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Dianne, And RUC has 19 doors, ….. WHY? Do you have some pet doors planned as well? They wouldn’t need to be very large! Now back to the 19 regular sized doors. Are you SERIOUSLY expecting to have company stop by after this post??? hahaha BTW after the gecko post, and my comment I thought about it. I had 5 iguanas posing on me, not geckos. I get my wildlife mixed up! I’m more of a history gal! 🙂
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I’ve never seen an iguana and wondered how that guy would have kept geckos in his pocket because they’re fast little things (lol) 😉
I took some pics of a finished door yesterday and must post it (when I get a free second). I’ve got some young guys working on the place at the moment that I call the “Young Guns” wow they are just doing everything so fast and so well! I’m wrapped 😀
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Awww, Tic Tac seems to be growing up fast! What a cutie 🙂 As for the other guy, wow, that really is some alien! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a grass hopper like that!
Enjoy that glass of wine, you’ve earned it 🙂
Rohan.
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I’ve been told it’s a Giant Asian Mantis, Rohan. I’m sure you would have seen a preying mantis before growing up in Australia – this is the same, only bigger and pink! 😉
I really enjoyed that wine 😀
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Wow! Those alien eyes really Bug me! Ha ha. Glad you haven’t been carried away into its next. Why did it keep hopping on you though. Once would have me almost to the crazy farm.
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Ella Dee just wrote a comment saying this is a Giant Asian Mantis and they are pets (now I understand because this explains why the thing keeps coming back and landing on me!) I had no idea a mantis could be a pet – yikes! How do I train the thing? LOL 😉
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Holy smokes woman! You are the bug whisperer…lucky you. That would have scared the heebie jeebies out of me eliciting an interesting bug dance. I am impressed you can keep it together to get all these pictures, they are amazing!
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LOL – I LOVE the bug whisperer, you’ve made my day, Elisa! It was hard trying to get a pic of this thing because it kept jumping at the camera 😯
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I don’t mind the lizard, but the other creature looks so weird! He can’t help it I suppose!
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I’m sure that’s a face only a mother would love! 😉
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Well, I was thinking of coming over for the housewarming of the RUC, but…I’m not so sure now. You’re other visitors are quite off putting.
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LOL! You can always sit down and have a chat with them, Ly (though I can’t guarantee they won’t end up IN your champagne!) 😉
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Definitely looks like an alien and not only that, he’s smiling at you, which is even scarier than being an alien. Good luck with those creatures!
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I think he was just trying to give me a hug and didn’t understand why his ‘smile’ wasn’t charming me! lol 😀
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Disney simply cannot compete with this photograph!
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What a compliment! I’ll let Max Mantis know – he’ll be chuffed 😀
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Geckos don’t phase me, but what on earth is that other thing??? That one would’ve scared me. The hairy hand comment made me laugh.
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It’s a mantis, Janna. I’ve been told by another blogger that it’s a Giant Asian Mantis and they love being people’s pets (which is why it keeps trying to sit on my shoulder!) LOL 😀
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I think some of your creepy crawlers are in my bedroom wall–I awoke to noises that were unsettling and when I turned the light on, they stopped–decided to get up even though it was 4 o clock — I think mine are bigger than yours
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YIKES! That sounds scary. Maybe it’s time to call in the exterminators! 😯
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love your guy with the big eyes–yes that is exactly what I looked like when I woke up
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You’re such a popular person Dianne! I would not like it if a preying mantis like that was on my shoulder.
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Everybody loves me – even aliens! LOL 😀
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Hmm, I’ve heard that one way alien civilizations might observe us without our knowledge would be to use reconnaissance equipment disguised as everyday insects…. Just a thought. 😉
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LOL! Oh dear, JM – this comment made me laugh very loudly! I love the fact they the aliens sent this as a reconnaissance vehicle thinking, “there’s no way the humans will think this is ‘alien!’ I look SO normal.” HAAAAAAAA 😀 😀 😀
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Need to share my reply to Jim’s comment on my blog (if you get a minute, do check it out, it’s outstandingly spirited and witty ;)) ” I admire Dianne (let alone my fascination with lizards ) because parallel to her fiction, on her blog she’s turning into a fairytale what had begun as a tragic row of events – illness, relocation, hurricanes, houses torn down and rebuilt in a minimum time with close to non-existent outside support… And she finds beauty in that, which wold make the most almost bite the dust – and she makes the reader envious not only of her spirit, but even of the challenges she encounters! For what i know, that’s the only way for us to become co-creators, by turning our personal challenges into the Light.” xxxx
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Awww – this is just beautiful! I’m very flattered that you think of me this way, Lena. You are an angel xoxoxoxo
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thank you… fallen one, but still 😉 xx
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Goodness. I’ve just came back from Thailand and seen a lot of amazing things there – but not one like that pink beauty you’ve got there… It is scary, though.
What’s your take on cockroaches and huge orange ants?
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I’ve never seen anything like him before either, Christina – he’s a very odd one! 😉
I don’t particularly like cockroaches (especially in my food) and I’ve been bitten by big ants before and it’s never a pleasant experience 😯
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I’m glad your reaction was that of surprise =)
Brr, I can’t even imagine what it’s like…
p.s. thank you for always answering and commenting back – I truly appreciate that.
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Yikes! I would have definitely found myself on the roof from fear! Impressive that you had the presence of mind to take pictures! 🙂
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He kept trying to jump at the camera! YIKES!
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Lolll!!!!!! And I loooorve animals. Geckos are cute. Like that @personal things btw you nd the gecko. I could stare at a praying mantis for long as though in a trance. Please, remain a creature magnet and get us more pics and posts. Hehehee.
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I will! There are so many creatures around here and you’re right about the mantis – it tries to hypnotize you! 😉
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hehehhehe. thanks.
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How cool! At least it wasn’t a hairy spider that landed on your shoulder, maybe nature is trying to tell you something? 🙂
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I’m not sure what – but I know there is a message there somewhere 😉
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Is that a praying mantis? He’s so cute! (why yes, I am an odd one, thanks for noticing.)
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Yes – it’s a praying mantis (and a pink one at that!) He’s very cute indeed 😀
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The aliens have landed in your home!!! hahaha amazing colour!!
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I knew they’d be pink and come sometime! LOL 😉
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That picture! Those bug eyes!! How so alien, YES.
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If there are aliens I’m sure this is what they look like! 😉
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Ewwww. I am not a fan of insects. I think they are fascinating to look at but I do NOT want them crawling up my leg, thank you very much.
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How about on your shoulder staring into your eyes – YIKES! It scared the living daylights out of me! 😯
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Hey Dianne, I have been patiently waiting for “In The Company of Beasts” so I’m very happy to hear you are going to be working on it. Thank your little creatures for me for getting you back on the writing job! I wouldn’t want that big eyed flying thing to land on me, but on the other hand (no pun intended) I think it’s kind of cool.
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I’ll thank those little creatures! They are pushing me towards writing big time 😀 I would have been okay with this creature only he landed on my shoulder and when I turned all I could see were those bug eyes – yikes! 😯
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
CREEPY CRAWLIES!!!!!
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Wow! That is some bug!
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He was HUGE, Naomi! 😀
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I loved those pictures!
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Thank you! 😀
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