So Lucy wouldn't step on him.
You know a spider is big when you can see it walking across the trail from your perch atop the saddle. Six years ago,
when I saw my first tarantula, I ran screaming all the way home, locked the door behind me, and had nightmares for a week.
Yesterday when I saw one, I stopped and took pictures.
Lucy: Seems like he's in a big hurry.
Me: It's tarantula mating season. He's looking for a girlfriend.
The tarantula was the only wildlife we saw on the trail yesterday. I attribute that to the temperature - it was cold!
Lucy loved it. I was wishing I had worn a jacket and gloves.
The boys were waiting for us when we got home, and Hank was eager get the scoop on our ride.
Hank: Where did you go? What did you see? Meet anybody new?
Lucy: We saw one tarantula and that was it. Mom wouldn't let me stop anywhere to eat. I'm starving.
Lucy: Come on, mom. Let's go take my saddle off so I can have some lunch and take a nap. Looks like I've got some catching up to do.
I was amazed at how dark the tarantula was in pic #1, but then I'm not at all familiar with them. He sure stands out against the dirt/grasses! I'm not a spider fan, so those would definitely freak me out!!
ReplyDeleteThe first time I saw a gopher snake come out of the tack room, right at the water faucet, where I was reaching to turn on the water, I screamed all the way to the next county. The second time, you could hear me next door. The third time, I covered my mouth and observed it. He seems to like the mice that live in and near the tack room.
ReplyDeleteIf I saw that hairy spider here in my northern city I would run screaming also!
ReplyDeleteToday is a good day to pray for all of those lost 10 years ago! It really seems like just yesterday.
Have you ever thought of "ponying" one of the burrito brothers with you on one of your rides out?
ReplyDeleteI often ride one horse and lead the other to exercise two at the same time.
Just a thought.
Course, it's harder to take pictures and bones if you do...
George and Alan sure aren't very chivalrous. Don't they know that they should stand up when the ladies arrive?
ReplyDeleteLucy's ears make a nice frame for your photos!
ReplyDeleteIs that Hank sticking his tongue out at Lucy in the last photo??
ReplyDeleteOMG...I want that spider so bad...Actually I would follow him to find the female. They are so much larger and just as pretty. I may have to come visit some day...
ReplyDeleteEmily in NC
...oh my goodness! Great capture, but it does give me the creeps. I love the furry ears - they look like they keep him quite warm.
ReplyDeleteEgad...but oh-so-cool. Love how Alan and George were totally kicked back and chillin', just waiting for you two to return.
ReplyDeleteAnd what? It's cold there? I'm so confused by your seasons. :-)
I'm over 1,000 miles away and from here the tarantula looks beautiful! That's a very big spider for heaven's sake. Thanks for the vicarious adventure, Carson.
ReplyDeleteWe have tarantulas in the back yard. They have never bothered me. I remember as a kid at the Ranger Station in Coyote, NM they would freak my mother out by climbing up the screen door.
ReplyDelete