Emerging praying mantises

[dc]T[/dc]oday we were tromping through the SCCCMA fields, doing a bird survey through the mixed agricultural fields, weedy areas and woods. While walking through some of the game commission fields, Justine happened upon a ootheca and called us over when she noticed that the praying mantises were emerging. I have never seen praying mantises quite as fresh as this batch, usually finding them when they are a day or two old and not quite as green and squishy looking.