A Summer Visit From A Praying Mantis

After a long day of work it was cool to come home and see this mantis sitting on the screen of my front porch. 

The praying mantis has always been one of my favorite insects.   From the time I was young, I would see these around on occasion  either hanging around on a window or on the side of a building.

This one was sitting on my front screen porch enjoying the hot sun.

It was weird to see one as for as long as i have lived in my house in Battle Creek, I have never seen one around my house.   I don't remember the last time I saw one up close.

I don't really have any idea why this one was on my porch.  I am hoping that it was trying to catch some of the spiders and fly's that like to get on to my porch.

Any idea why one would just show up on a hot day?

Bonus Video: