European Mantis – Green

One of the most amazing things about living in Spain for me, were all the mantises. Even though we weren’t near much foliage for the first year, I managed to buy a plant from the garden center which had not one baby mantis in it, but two! You can read about that little episode here – Bobby M the wild pet Mantis

But once we moved inland a bit and into the mountains, they were in abundance. I think I photographed about 3 or 4 different types and colouring, so will do a post for each as they are such awesome creatures and deserve a post each.

Green European Mantis

This one walked right through the garden one day, taking his time. They are very curious mostly.

Green European Mantis

They let me get up quite close and their photoshoots, which is lucky for me because I get so excited I usually scare things away.

Green European Mantis
Green European Mantis

They really are an epic display of nature.

(c) K Wicks

Nature patterns – Various 1

Just some colourful bright products in case anyone needs some brightness in their life, or if you’re looking for a gift idea. I will share a few different ones in case you like different colour combos. All MKW design patterns are created from my macro nature photography. Available as clothes, homeware, accessories and more.

To view my whole shop – https://www.redbubble.com/people/Darling2425/shop

(c) K Wicks

The first mantis

Only two months into being in Spain, I saw my first mantis. Out walking with the camera after a storm, it was just sitting there on a low wall, I couldn’t believe it. I really didn’t expect it to be so randomly there so was elated. My first photo of a mantis, which was followed by many more and will be appearing in upcoming posts 🙂

European Mantis – Brown

(c) K Wicks

Maya’s blanket

It’s funny when you get a dog, you think at first there are her things and there are your things, then you realise everything sort of becomes her things. It doesn’t help that since the lockdowns started occuring, all her toys and treats have arrived by post, so of course any post that arrives now is cause for extra excitement and she thinks is for her.

My excitement comes from seeing my photography as products (simple things and all that). This one is an Autumn shot from a few years ago of a frosty leaf and one I was keen to see what it looked like in real life on products (I have over 1200 designs and there are 90 products for each, so I know I am never going to get to see them all). But when the soft comfy colourful blanket arrived, it didn’t take long for it to become Maya’s. I now have various cushions, coasters, blankets around my house and about five bags in use! So much brightness and nature definitely keeps me going through the dark cold winter months. A bit of the outside, but inside. Some of the frosty leaf products below and links to them in case anyone else needs some brightness in their life.

https://www.redbubble.com/i/throw-blanket/Frosty-Leaf-MKW-P-24-by-Darling2425/34824092.16D0B
Frosty Leaf

(c) K Wicks

St Mary’s Chapel

From the Spectacle of Light event a couple of years ago, this is one of my favourite’s from the night. Henry the VIII’s sixth and final wife Catherine Parr spent her final months at Sudeley Castle and is laid to rest in St Mary’s Chapel there. I have seen it in the day light too, and it’s nice, but splash colourful lights on things and it makes my eyes very happy!

St Mary’s Chapel, Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire

(c) K Wicks