Following in her mother's footsteps

    Not too many folks are elated to see spiders about their place.  I guess I am one of the few.  Even though I have been bitten numerous times and once by a black widow, it never riles me to find yet another web with a female dangling within.  Spiders are good things to have about the place.  I do understand not wanting them inside the house but in the garden, they are our helpers.  This morning, it pleased me to find an tiny orb weaver.  She was obviously very young as her web was not the huge ones normally found but a tiny six inch web. The web did have the telltale "writing" or zigzag design of a weaver spider.  The spider had chosen to weave her home in the marsh near where her mother had done so last year.  The spider and later her egg sac became a source of entertainment for me.  Each day, the spider could be observed carefully wrapping some hapless insect tightly with silk.  This would be used as a later meal since the marsh provides plenty.  Then that lovely golden orb or egg sac appeared.  It was thrilling to know that yet another generation of spiderlings were to come.

  This is a black and yellow garden spider who allowed me to visit for a spell.  She and I came to an understanding that I would not harm her and she would eat as many gnats and mosquitoes as she can along with any other insects.  I do believe that is a win/win situation.  I let her know that she will always be welcome.