It's the most wonderful time of the year - baby praying mantis season!
I haven't posted any new photos in a month or so for reasons, not least that it's been fun to look through old pictures and give them another chance at love, or views, or whatever. But yesterday I spotted the first praying mantis babies of the season, and that calls for a change of pace. Shoot, I think it should be a holiday.
The earliest I have ever seen mantis babies here is April 14. So, April 21 is right on time. I found at least five individuals, and they are so tiny and well-camouflaged that it certainly means there are lots more I haven't seen.
[ID: a three panel sequence of Batman. In all of them, he's drawn in very low detail with none of his features showing. In the first photo he's hunkered down in surprise at the sound of a loud wail. He thinks, bewildered, ‘A... Baby?!!’ In the second photo he's quickly approaching the supposed infant and in the third he's starting to reach out to comfort the crying child. END ID]
I wish you would write a fic where Max and Daniel meet at a NASCAR track. Maybe Daniel is a driver? A lil meet cute at the track?
Hi danniiiii 🫶🏼
Kinda took the liberty to give max a daughter in this. Idk why lol. But here’s a short little meet cute!
“Papa look!” Lily shouted as she sprinted ahead to the big car on display. A bold ‘3’ on the front in black and a smiling driver standing in front of it meeting fans wearing his corresponding tight black race suit.
Max followed her quickly “Lily don’t run I told you” he said exasperated but his six year old was for too fast for him. Lily ran past the rope barrier and right up to the driver.
“Hi! My papa and I are your biggest fans!” She squealed happily her long braided hair swinging with excitement under her yellow hat that read NASCAR ok the front.
Daniel couldn’t help but smile and laugh softly at the little girl standing about knee high “oh? And where is your papa now?” He asked her. Lily to point towards Max who was talking to the security trying to convince them that he wasn’t a deranged fan. Just a dad trying get his daughter back . Daniel let out a small laugh before nodding to security “let him through it’s okay.”
Max walked over sheepishly. He couldn’t believe his daughter just bust through security a right up to this stranger. Sure max had watched hundreds of races with her cheering him on. But still. Not something he expected his Lily to do “hi I’m so sorry I told her not to run-” max began as he scooped up his daughter into his arms. Sade from running away again.
Daniel shook his head “nonsense that’s what this is for. To meet fans” he said with a charming smile directed at Max “your little girl here says you and her are my biggest ones” he grinned.
Max couldn’t help the blush that formed on his cheeks making him hot in the already hot Texas sun. Yes Max had definitely been following Daniel’s career since he made the switch to NASCAR but he didn’t know if that would make him Daniel’s biggest fan.
“What would you say about watching the race from the pit?” Daniel asked Lily. Her eyes widen and she nods brightly excitement filling her eyes. The hat she wore on her head flopped around almost falling off.
“Oh that’s very generous-“ Max started. He couldn’t take advantage of this racer who was just being nice to his overactive daughter.
“Nonsense I would love to have you guys there” he says and smiles happily “especially if I get to grab a bite with you after” Daniel winked at Max.
Max’s cheeks grew more red. Who was he to say no?
“O-okay sounds good” he said.
“Great. Blake will take you over and I’ll see you in the pits before the race” Daniel winked before turning his attention to the other media officer.
Max followed Blake out of the way towards pit lane. Had his daughter landed him a date with Daniel Ricciardo?