In the Yard

Jumping Spider (Arachnophobia Alert!)

Rae Spencer8 Comments

I found a jumping spider in the irises, and, after taking my usual maximum-distance/maximum-zoom spider photos, I bolted away in an arachnophobia panic gathered my courage for some macro shots.

The spider seemed fascinated by the camera. Maybe it saw a foe in the lens? Maybe it simply wanted to climb? Whatever its motive, I was terrified by impressed by the spider’s jumping ability.

Every time I moved the camera within macro range, the spider darted forward and leapt onto the lens. I got several blurry way-too-close-ups.

I also had a few too many “where did it go?!” moments.

Even so, I’m happy to have these photos for the archive. There’s something appealing, to me, about the spider’s “expression”.

After our photo session, the spider climbed onto the pear tree. Its camouflage was so complete that I soon lost sight of it.

I won’t be adopting a spider as a pet anytime soon, but it’s getting easier to photograph them.

Another Black Widow Spider (Arachnophobia Alert!)

Rae Spencer5 Comments

We are still finding black widow spiders in the yard and garage. Hopefully this winter will be cold enough to eradicate the majority of them.

Thread-Waisted Wasp Video

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Another thread-waisted wasp. This time I got a few video clips as it dug and sealed its nesting burrow.

Green Tree Frog

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I found a frog in the ginger lilies today. (I believe it was a green tree frog.) Frogs are unusual in the yard, so I was thrilled to find my second one of the summer. My delight faded to itchy frustration when I began trying for pictures.

The frog retreated into the ginger lilies, stem by stem. I crept in after it as far as I could, but the ginger lilies are hostile this time of year. They are head-high, densely packed, and teem with bugs that bite and sting.

Even so, I managed to follow the frog with my lens until it tired of the chase and settled on a leaf. Then I looked away for a second, to adjust the camera’s settings, and lost sight of my subject. I never found it again.

Sometimes the yard is an extension of Wonderland, complete with animals that disappear at will.

Wolf Spider (Arachnophobia Alert!)

Rae Spencer2 Comments

I was trying to record a short video of the thread-waisted wasps when a flash of nearby movement distracted me. At first, I couldn’t find what had moved.

The spider and I recognized each other at the same time, and it’s hard to say which of us was more frightened. She dove back into her burrow as I fought off a wave of arachnophobia-panic. I took a few calming breaths, forced myself to sit next to the burrow, and readied my camera.

After several minutes, she emerged again. Covered with babies! She did a quick survey, decided I was still too close, and carried her children back to safety.

Even when it’s icky and strange, the yard is amazing.