The First Walking Stick

These are such interesting insects.  Herbivores, the stay still like this all day and eat at night.  I remember the first time I saw one here years ago and thought, aren't insects supposed to have six legs?  Well, this fellow (I can tell it is a male because of the pinchers at the end) folds his front legs up parallel to his body to make him look more like a stick and, thus, avoid predators.  I will be taking my wooden walking stick on the trip to see the surgeon this morning.  I will be anxious to hear how he thinks my progress is going.