Praying mantis

From the shield, the nymph might be a Rhombodera. The adult I think is a Hierodula.

I have not read that Sphodromantis live in India.

Thank you.

Great series!!

Thanks Brett!

Great photos. I love mantises.

Thanks bong.ambutong. :)

Amazing Capture Harsha....wonderful catch.

How nice to know the story behind those great pictures. Your efforts paid off. It's good to carry a camera with you all the time. You never know what you may come across. :)

Thank you Harsha, I am glad that I didn't shrug it off and ran a mile back to my cabina to get my camera. I was in the process of just tossing it back into the ocean to keep it alive then I thought I may never see this again so I best immortalize it. From now on I will keep my camera with me at all times.

Thanks JLM. Your barnacles are awesome. Something I had never even heard of before. Congrats.

fun photo montage. enjoyed it very much!!

Added a new picture. It's an adult. (Last picture.)

Thanks for liking it Hemant, Karen and Satyen. Lia it must be so.

Fantastic series Harsha.

Mantis religiosa ?

Excellent series Harsha!

brilliant shots well done