Something Up My Sleeve!

  I have never been one to be squeamish about the critters one finds on the Bayou.  In fact, I have often claimed that I like the critters better than I do most people.  You always know what you are facing when dealing with a critter.  I come across dozens and dozens of all sorts of critters each day in my daily hikes and chores.  None have ever given me reason to be frightened.  

  In the Frog Pond, one expects to find...well, frogs.  There is a myriad of other critters in there, as well.  Dragonfly larvae, water bugs, snakes, toads and bunches of other aquatic creatures fill the pond.  Today, one of the potted plants, a willow tree, had toppled over with the stiff winds.  No problem.  I would just reach in, right the plant and go about my merry way.  One of the critters of the pond had other thoughts about my intrusion.  A rather large fishing spider decided to hitch a ride on my arm while I was shuffling around with the willow tree.  This did not bother me except for the fact that the spider decided to climb up my arm and into the baggy sleeve of the oversized T-shirt that I was wearing.  Now a spider on the arm is one thing but a spider inside the shirt is quite another.

  It was obvious that I could not shed the shirt in the middle of the yard so there was nothing to do but find the closest place to seek a bit of privacy.  Luckily, that was the laundry room.  It did not take long for me to peel off that shirt, ball it up and toss it on the back porch!  Thankfully, I had not folded the laundry yet and a fresh, clean shirt was within reach.  Oh, the things that happen on the Bayou!  It all ended well, however.  I managed to rid myself of the spider and stay relatively private while doing it.  The spider came out of its adventure unscathed and was soon seen bouncing across the grass to the safety of the Frog Pond.  What an experience!

My Foul Weather Friend

  The spate of bad weather that has been ravaging the area, continued for most of the day.  High winds pushed the tide high into the yard and water added from flooding rivers made things even worse.  We are fortunate to live on a high hill above the Bayou.  Others are not fairing so well.  But, that said, the high winds do make for many trips down the board path to check the little skiff.  I am glad it is moored well up in the tide pool alongside of the pier.  The outer marsh provides a fine windbreak for the boat.  

  On one of those boat-checking trips, I found that I was not alone. Skipping across the water came a large spider.  To be more specific, it was a Six-spotted Fishing Spider.  While I knew this spider meant me no harm, I was glad that it was on the water and I was on the pier!  That thing was huge! She was close to three inches across!  Once it saw me, the spider froze.  I suppose it was having just as many heebie-jeebies about me as I was it.  I stayed watching the spider as long as the weather permitted but the wind was nigh on knocking me into the water with my friend, Spider.  As I eased myself back up the hillside, I thought about how fun it must be to just pad right across the water as if it were high ground.  It sure would make life easier when I wanted to check some wildflower blooming in the back of the Bayou!

  The Six-spotted Fishing Spider is a member of the Wolf Spider Family. It lives mostly in areas of fresh or brackish water and eats mainly insects.  Occasionally, if the spider is quite large, it can indeed catch small minnows or tadpoles.  You see, this spider not only has the ability to walk on water, it also can dive under water!  The spider can swim down nearly eight inches to catch prey.  It has no problem seeing under water as it has eight eyes!  Wow!  This critter is even more amazing than I first thought!

  While I did not fear the Fishing Spider, I knew not to grab it.  Like any Wolf Spider, it can and will bite if threatened.  Fortunately, the bite is more a nuisance than a major injury.  Still, I did not need to take any chances.  I figured that the spider was already on edge with having its home totally flooded by the high tides.  Friend Spider, you may live in peace as long as you remain in the marsh!