David Chancellor

How do you describe such a magnificent creature as the praying mantis, other-worldly perhaps ? its gentle rocking is the only thing that gave it away in the dark of the desert night. Once I could actually translate its presence, I began to see the unspoken language that allows this extraordinary predator to exist in harmony and entirely invisible within its surroundings. It appears calm and yet this a creature so focused, with such a sharp precision and speed that when pray fails to translate its presence, there is without doubt no second chance to do so. It is not calm, it is primed. It is the perfect predator and another one of natures marvels living here in the mountains of the Asir Province of southwest Saudi Arabia. 🖤🖤 @ncw_center @natgeo @thephotosociety #saudi #wild #mantis #mountains #insect