Foto Friday - Update from the garden



As promised an update from the garden

and I know you have all been patiently waiting . . .

well maybe not patiently, and maybe not really waiting at all

but just go along with me here - I know you're at least curious.

Right?

Okay, good!!

(you can't see me, but I'm smiling)

So the good news is they are still here - the green lynx spiders that is.

They haven't all been eaten by something - whew! I know you were worried.

I can usually find 3 or 4 of them, at least that's what I can spy with my little eye

since they are so well camouflaged amongst the garden.  Sometimes I take a

spray bottle out with me and lightly mist the flowers to see if I get any movement.

I think this is where I tell you to stop laughing . . .

Alright, I know what you're thinking - has she flipped her lid, spiders are gross!

Well, truth be told I wouldn't want one crawling on me either. In fact I'm severely allergic

to spider venom - I have ended up in the ER with anaphylaxis several times. But when

seen through the view finder of my camera, which changes all perspective, they are

suddenly quite fascinating.  

The green lynx spider gets its name because of the cat like hunters that they are. They are very well

adapted to running and pounce on their prey. I've had the privilege of watching one catch a bee

out of mid air and it was lightning fast. I think they have a bit more growing to do before they're catching

bees though.

They are a bright vivid green with their bodies being transparent but having said that they

are really hard to notice especially when on green foliage.

The female is larger than the male and wow will I have a surprise for you when I finally see one

that is gravid (pregnant in spider lingo) this season. It's a bit too early, usually around late August or

September.

And never fear if you live in a northern climate because they like tropical weather. You will find these in the southern U.S., Mexico and South America.

And although they aren't as camouflaged on this gomphrena, this is where I find them the most.

They have really long slender legs with which help them catch their prey and those are not black hairs you see on their legs, but spines probably to help them impale dinner.

These spiders do not spin webs, but actually hunt for their prey. And although they don't

spin webs they will usually trail a dragline of silk  - kinda acts like a bungee cord when you're

jumping off things to get your dinner!

So have I changed your perspective yet?

Linking this one with Favorite Photo of the week Contest

The moment one gives close attention to anything,

even a blade of grass it becomes a mysterious,

awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.

-Henry Miller

I can't wait to share more with you because God gave this spider something very special!

Until then, give something your close attention - you'll be glad you did.

Give someone, even a stranger your special attention - and you will be blessed!

Have a great weekend my friends!

Love, Kim

XO

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