Caught this shot of one in 2006 I think. I rarely see them out here. It is sorta weird to be face to face with a bug big enough to watch it's head swivel around and watch you with the camera. This specimen was probably 4" head to end of wings. Maybe 4.5" if the foreleg was outstretched. Clearly I did not seem too threatening to the Mantis as it never got into a defensive posture. This posture, raised up high with forelegs outstretched is rather impressive. Shot as a jpeg with a canon G2.

(URL no longer valid) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/05/Praying_mantis_in_defense_pose.JPG