69.3F Tuesday 4:42 PM- every year we get ONE praying mantis- just spotted the 2019 version. Usually this time of year they are dying from the temps, etc. and I can pet them all I want. Today I just touched his /her back and she jumped down to the front step. Touched her again and she ran for the Rose of Sharon squad. This one is far from dying- so I'll let her be. Just curious that it/they pick our house every year. Apart from the last 4 years, we never saw one.
It's just a wilderness here.

50 years ago saw Bob White's in the back yard, only knew that because they kept saying "Bob White." Then we had several pheasants - one time only. Once many Cedar Waxwings took over the Sycamore tree. Had way too many rabbits - now we go years without seeing one. Think the coyotes and fox are responsible for that. Though haven't seen either this year.
Barely any deer - when we used to have them in most of the back yards when they weren't playing tag with cars. Just had the one buck that destroyed my beautiful hosta.
Guess the suburbs are getting too citified.

. Think I'll go sleep on that.