Bugs and slugs

Being here for almost two years now, we've seen a fair number of creeping and crawling things.  It seems like this summer we've spotted a few more bugs than ever before (but perhaps fewer spiders, thank goodness.)

Starting in November we were finally able to find one of the noisy bugs we hear all summer (think cicada-level noise level, only lower pitched; and less of a buzz but more of a drumming sound), we saw a big preying mantis on the roof, and of course other beetles and butterflies. I also saw a very large slug when taking out our recycling.

These green bugs blend in perfectly with the summer leaves

The only way we spotted him was by honing in on his sound.

This preying mantis was at least twice as big as the one I saw
last year. It was huge!

Our 20c pieces are about the same size as a quarter.

He was hiding under the recycling bin but was pretty quick
to retreat to the shade. He looked even bigger when on the move!

Assassin beetle

A huge buzzing beetle we saw in the Blue Mountains

Not the actual insect, but a rather impressive exoskeleton left
on a tree.  It was a big one!