Finally got to see these guys!
This female praying mantis had just finished laying her egg case (ootheca) when I spotted her on a creosote bush. The egg case was still foamy and moist-looking. I had just missed it! But I was happy to find her with her egg sack. Usually I find these egg cases already dried and empty so this was a neat find.
Habitat: Franklin Mountains, Chihuahuan desert.
This curious Pyrrhuloxia landed on a Sotol stalk right in front of me as I was hiking.
Found hopping across a moist sandy trail.