Praying mantises are common here in the Ouachitas. Adults reach 5 inches in length. This one has a couple inches to go.
Reflections of growth of all sorts:
Great fungus
http://skfjrifnd.wordpress.com/2012/08/05/weekly-photo-challenge-growth/
Who doesn’t like new beginnings?
Weekly Photo Challenge: Growth, Take Three
A lovely “time lapse” of growth
http://cobbies69.wordpress.com/2012/08/05/weekly-photo-challenge-growth/
Up close and personal with a succulent
http://ateliermadman.com/2012/08/05/photographie-weekly-challenge-2012-26/
Almost too big
http://rutheh.com/2012/08/05/weekly-photo-challenge-growth/
Pussywillow
http://imagesbymadelainecappuccio.wordpress.com/2012/08/04/weekly-photo-challenge-growth/
Back to school
http://implicado.wordpress.com/2012/08/04/weekly-photo-challenge-growth/
The measure of growth
http://vastlycurious.com/2012/08/04/weekly-challenge-growth-of-three-children-over-27-years/
and the main page:
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2012/08/03/weekly-photo-challenge-growth/
The (Urban-Wildlife) Interface 
Thanks for the pingback, and fabulous pictures and take on topic yourself..
You created such a beautiful tribute to growing up!
Thank you 😉
Thank you for your nod of my human yard stick..I appreciate it 🙂
King of the weed… 🙂
Indeed!
Mantis reaching toward the clouds! Nice.
Thanks. The mantis just reminded me of a little kid who discovered he could climb a a tree. 🙂
You’ve got a really nice blog here, great photos and interesting subjects. I used to drive through Arkansas going from Texas to the northeast and loved going through Arkansas. More than once I went through the eastern portion early in the morning when semis were slumbering in herds on the roadside, and watched the crop dusters stunt flying as I drove through.
Thanks for stopping by! You have a wonderful way with words (love the ‘slumbering in herds’ phrase). Looking forward to getting on the bus here shortly!
YIKES … thanks for the information. Great interpretation of this week’s challenge … Stunning images!
Thanks for visiting and taking time to comment!
Thanks so much for the pingback! Beautiful photo you have for the growth challenge!
These pictures are awesome!
Thanks! Who knew the mantis would be such a good model!
Thanks so much for the pingback!
nice capture.
Thanks so much! Appreciate you taking time to visit and comment!
This is so cool! Don’t like praying mantises but love the photos.
lovely series of shots and story.
Great images… 🙂
Thank you so much! And thanks for visiting and taking time to comment.
Now that is an amazing shot! 🙂
Thanks the lighting was just right.
Great pictures of the mantis!
Thanks! She was a reluctant model at first, but quickly got used to being in front of the camera.