TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Some of the best adventures can happen in a grocery store parking lot--that is, if you're observant. At first, I thought someone had vandalized my car by splashing it with flourescent paint or slapping a sticker on it. Nothing natural could ever be that color, right? But, upon closer inspection, I discovered it was a lime green walking stick hanging out on the rear fender of my car.

After announcing to the entire parking lot of my discovery (I know, I'm weird), many gathered around and took pictures. One brave lady even touched it (ewwwww!!!), and it moved off in drunken swagger. After some research, I found out that this is a stick bug's way to further camoflage itself by looking like a twig swaying in a gentle breeze. Cool.

I have a pretty simple policy with bugs. If you're outside, you live. If you're in my house, you die. So, fearing for the safety of the unique critter if I drove away with it clinging to the side of my car, I scooped it up (no, really......scooped....I happened to have a small plastic one in my car) and placed it on a nearby tree. That's the other part of my bug policy--no matter how interesting you may be, I will look, but not touch.

Walking sticks, like praying mantis and lady bugs are "good bugs." The more of them in this world, and in my garden, the better.

#walkingstick #goodbugs