Japanese hornet, originally uploaded by julesberry2001.

Just one of the dangers facing wee Trevorina the praying mantis as she seeks out tasty boyfriends out in the wilds of Kamakura. The largest hornet in the world may not look like much in this photo taken from some distance away, but they're the size of a pepper pot, sound like a helicopter and after a face-off from 10 feet or so one is left with a freaky impression of big black eyes. There seem to be many more than usual around this year. This one was drinking from the puddles in Hase Dera.