We have often speculated that our tiny little backyard has traces of radioactivity; plants and insects seem to grow unusually large there. In the case of our hydrangea bush, we welcome the over-sized growth. Here’s a bud from June that eventually became massive.

It’s more pale than some of the other flowers, but beautiful nonetheless.

Some of the flowers are so big that they cannot stay upright without the support of the surrounding leaves.

While documenting the mutant flowers, I stumbled across this little guy…

I couldn’t help but wonder — How large will he grow to be? And is he the grandchild of this praying mantis we saw knocking on our door in 2006?…

(This one was probably about 6 inches long.)

Upon closer examination, I really do believe the two are related. They had similar features and mannerisms. They shared the same work ethic. And they both spoke with a British accent.