Fragile treasure

I grew up near a natural area rich in biodiversity, now classified as Natura 2000. In the late 90s, it was not uncommon to see dozens of praying mantises like this one at certain times of the year. I often hiked with my parents in this particular area and it was they who taught me to recognize them, to appreciate their fragile beauty and to be careful not to step on them. I could spend hours observing them, lying among the wild orchids. In those days, ticks were much less prevalent, so we weren't afraid to lie down in the grass like we are today.

Nowadays, it is becoming rare to see praying mantises: the disappearance of its natural environment and its prey seems to affect it, although the species is not yet classified as endangered. Each sighting of a praying mantis in its environment feels like finding a unique jewel to protect - a reminder that all life forms, even the smallest and most unobtrusive, are essential in their ecosystem.

I found the mantis in this photo in the middle of a hiking trail in Côte d'Or in 2021. I photographed it just before putting it down off the path to avoid it being hurt by a walker.