Visitors 38
Modified 21-Dec-23
Created 22-Aug-23
27 photos
Yellow two-part bodies; black eyes; harlequin legs, translucent with green stripes: dozens of tiny spiderlings emerge from the confines of their nursery. Discarded husks of outgrown exoskeletons litter the margins. Some move back along the egg sacs; some climb out on spiderweb strands. The (relatively) giant legs of a protective mother move in the background, unnoticed by this photographer until later.
Teal noticed this tiny spider nest; I stayed behind for more photos as the spiderlings emerged. It is good to explore with others.
As former Hurricane Hillary stirs the clouds and even threatens rare summer rain, we see a food web: Hayfield Tarweeds, covering the grassland with blossoms; beeflies and other of their pollinators; and spiders, preparing to feast on these tiny insects. Next come the birds, then the hawks to eat them.
August brings dry cracked earth and desiccated leaves. A few green plants – even blossoms. And the emergence of new life.
The August 2023 bird transect out of Escobar Gate.
