Praying for a Mantis

We are walking in Abruzzo in Italy at a height of 1,500 metres above sea level. It’s invigorating:

Amongst the grass are beautiful blue spikes of what look to me just like Sea Holly, Eryngium maritimum. It can’t be though, not at 1,500 metres above sea level. It must be another Eryngium. Maybe it’s Eryngium alpinum? That would fit better with where we are:

Then I notice a long green insect on one of the beautiful purple plants. It’s a Praying Mantis. It’s the last thing I expect to find in the mountains:

It has long antennae, a swivelling head, fabulous claws and lots of attitude:

It’s as spiky as the alpine holly:

I didn’t mention they are close relatives of cockroaches:

As we walk on there’s another:

What an amazing place to live:

For people and for Mantises.