Quick photo update: stick insect and roses

[serenissima]

We've noticed a lot more insect life here than at the last place we lived. Beetles, ants, moths, flies — an annoying number of the latter two enter the house, but I don't want to spray poison around in case I end up breathing it or swallowing it.

Here's a more unusual visitor we observed last Friday evening: a stick insect on the outside of our patio wall.

Not sure why only four legs are visible?
Edited To Add: It's hard to tell the scale from the photo, but the animal was some 10 to 12 inches long.


And, our rose bush with more flowers than in the last picture I posted.

Comments

[daisho.livejournal.com]

It's possible it might have lost a couple of legs to a bird that wasn't entirely convinced by its stick act. Certainly no hint of them being tucked away anywhere else on its body, and I'm not aware of any adult-stage insects with vestigial legs, anyway.

That rose bush is going to start blocking the gate if you're not careful. :)

[copperwolf.livejournal.com]

The perspective makes the bush look like it blocks the doorway more than it really does. Actually the branches just reach the hinge of the gate. But yes, the thing is huge. :) I wish we could fold it up, pack it away and take it with us to wherever we end up living next.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Two of the legs are held out straight in front of the body (the bug is facing downward). Beautiful!

[copperwolf.livejournal.com]

Thank you!
Hm, I forgot to make note of the size.