Mill Valley, California: Praying Mantis

The inscrutable insect stands on top of a gardening business, along with a lady bug, the metalwork creations of artist Patrick E.

Praying Mantis

A ten-ft. long Praying Mantis regards northbound 101 traffic from the tiled roof of Green Jean's Garden Supply. Aside from its offering of plants and flowers, the garden center displays topiary animals and other sculptures for sale. The Praying Mantis sculpture has been there "for seven or eight years," according to the manager, replacing a previous praying mantis statue that was sold. It's the work of local artist Patrick E., who also created the Lady Bug and other scuttling rooftop creatures.

Indoors, a metalwork sculpture of a flying saucer dangles from the rafters. Another Patrick E. creation, it can be yours for $1,200. A garden center employee said people buy the imaginative sculptures, but they were moving "better before the economy tanked."

[RoadsideAmerica.com Team, 04/28/2011]

Praying Mantis

The sculpture is located on the top of a nursery on the East Frontage Road of Highway 101 between Seminary Drive and Belvedere Drive in Mill Valley, California.. There is also a giant Ladybug on the second building. They can both be seen from the side of the road.

[Phil Pasquini, 11/13/2007]