My Community

Outdoor Activities => Outdoor Activities => : Latimeria October 09, 2019, 06:03:22 AM

: Spider Hunt
: Latimeria October 09, 2019, 06:03:22 AM
Well, not really hunting, but looking for the big Banded Garden Spiders on the trails during a quick morning hike into the canyon.

The fog and sunrise made for a pretty amazing morning photo.

(https://i.imgur.com/gCUR9Rf.jpg)

Not as many as in years past, but seems to be a bumper crop of tunnel web spiders instead. The spider farm.

(https://i.imgur.com/NU0ZswU.jpg)

I saw a couple of banded spider webs, but they were pretty small spiders.  Then I came across this big momma!

(https://i.imgur.com/4oYbenS.jpg)

Pretty damn close to 3"!

(https://i.imgur.com/5MJO0Sm.jpg)

I actually scratched her back with a blade of grass and she never moved a muscle, although I swear one of those 8 eyes turned and looked for an opportunity to pounce on me!  LOL

Well, thanks for reading.

: Re: Spider Hunt
: Eric H October 09, 2019, 01:42:18 PM
I'm terrified of spiders
: Re: Spider Hunt
: Fish Jerk October 09, 2019, 07:00:06 PM
I only ever ran into one of those once. Walked out into the backyard and right into its web. Ended up with this 3 in spider on my face. Ughh. At least I’m not squeamish about them. Used to collect tarantulas. At one time had 10 different species.
: Re: Spider Hunt
: Latimeria October 11, 2019, 06:34:23 AM
I only ever ran into one of those once. Walked out into the backyard and right into its web. Ended up with this 3 in spider on my face. Ughh. At least I’m not squeamish about them. Used to collect tarantulas. At one time had 10 different species.

I used to have tarantulas also.  Super cool pet and especially loved when I moved out here and would catch them when I worked at the Wild Animal Park all the time!

(https://i.imgur.com/NK0xQHr.jpg)

Very cool critters although I still hate running into webs!  LOL
: Re: Spider Hunt
: spideyjg October 11, 2019, 04:00:26 PM
Only one time have I seen how thos single strands you run into happen. Saw a spider standing an odd way when I was a kid. Back legs were funny looking but what it was doing was feeding "line" off a spinneret and after a while it hit something, the spider secured it where it stood and ran across the tight rope.

Never see it happen again but know that is where to see single strands you walk into come from.

All the family females are petrified by them.

Got a really big one built a web from my van to a tree about 8 feet up. Sadly I need to drive the van tomorrow so hopefully she catches something tonight. Anchor line feels like 2 lb test mono

Jim
: Re: Spider Hunt
: vdisney October 19, 2019, 02:52:43 AM
Great pictures Tom...................thanks for sharing