Ms. Long Jaws

   With the heavy rains that have plagued the Coast for the past few months, it is prudent that the small skiff be checked occasionally.  There is a pump that works well except when the battery runs low.  Then, the boat fills with water which is problematic.  It was on today's "Check the boat" run that I found interest in something other that that old skiff.

  While Son was in tinkering with the pump, I noticed a lovely spider had strung her web between the boat seat and the pier ladder.  Son found it amusing that I was so intent on photographing the spider that I was oblivious of the threatening storm.  Yep, that spider was intriguing!  She is known as a Long Jawed Orb Weaver.  For some reason, the pier seems to be a favorite hangout of these spiders as just about every post has webs.  I am happy to have them and made sure Son was careful to not ruin her web.  These critters catch a multitude of gnats and mosquitoes.  (The mosquitoes are terrible this year!)

  While photographing the spider, it seemed necessary to get a closeup of her "long" jaws.  Yep, she sure does have those!  The spider was extremely patient with me as I stuck the camera lens within an inch of her face.  At one point she actually tapped the lens with her long leg as if warning me that I was close enough.  "Don't get any nearer!" she seemed to be thinking.  So, that ended my photo session with Ms. Spider!  I let her be to carry on with the business of mosquito catching.  Good job!