It turns out the blonder Spiny Micrathena had not left, only taken her web down for an extended period of re-engineering; I noticed yesterday she had strung up a new one, slightly smaller, without the extremely long anchor spans. ("It's a lovely location but these long cables simply will not do -- I'll be too exhausted to liquefy dinner!") She was taking it down at last sight that evening and had renetted in the same location this morning.
I stopped by tonight and she was busy wrapping what appeared to be a large gnat or small fly, long legs converging on the task and spiny abdomen bobbing, looking for all the world like a 1960's housewife with a beehive hairdo wrapping up leftovers.
Spiders are remarkably task-oriented and as ambush hunters go, they keep busy. I like them -- any creature that sets up shop to snag insects that annoy me, and does the job for free, is okay by me. Especially if they stay out of the way, which Micrathena does. (The timid, hairy funnelweb weavers are okay at staying out of the way but they leave a mess: they don't bother to take down old webs. C'mon, kids, don't litter!)
Looks like the back yard at Roseholme Cottage has a new tenant. I'm hoping to get some photos tomorrow when the light is better.
I wrote once about ham radio and how I am also a regular reader of your blog. I just wanted to compliment you on your nature pictures. Oh, and also your patient teaching about arachnids and other various wildlife and natural wonders that you come across in your day to day wanderings. It is nice to not just find out a bloggers opinion, but also to occasionally learn something that I didn't know. That is what is great about the internet. It really is a great tool, not just something for 16 year old boys looking for porn.
ReplyDeleteI am glad the internet did not exist when I was young. I never would have dated. Or left the house. Or slept.
I'm sorry, where was I? Oh, yeah, I just wanted you to know that some people out here really appreciate what you do and the extra effort that you put into your posts for us, not just for yourself. Some of us old guys do try and keep learning our entire lives, just for the joy of the knowledge of the huge world out there, and I thank you for helping me.
tim in Michigan on the west shore
Thank you, Tim! It means a lot to hear that; I don't get a lot of feedback on some of my quirkier posts. :)
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed your posts on various arachnids lately, especially the ones with photos of said spiders. I am also considered the "weirdo" in the family (reference to another post) as I actually like spiders, scorpions, snakes, and other assorted critters that squick most folks out. Thank you for keeping up the blogging.......and the spiders.
ReplyDeleteJD
Thank you, JD!
ReplyDelete