Macro Monday

The other day while in the woods, I saw a spider unlike any I had ever noticed before. I took some pictures. (I know that is shocking!) I then walked about ten feet and found another of the same kind!




Spider photos follow!




























These female Spined Mucrathena Spiders (Micratthena gracilis) were easy to identify because nothing else looks anything like them.

Only the females have the black and white spines. I saw the male on the web of the first spider, but he was so small and non-descript, I couldn't get the camera to focus on him.

Even the females were less than half an inch long.
The spines are supposed to both act as camouflage and
make them look unappetizing.

The web was perfectly round. Click to enlarge to actually see the web.

I'm linking to Macro Monday at Lisa's Chaos.
Stop by and see what macros you can see today!
-Susan

Macro Friday- A Walk in the Yard

Most of what I photograph is within a quarter of a mile of my house, unless otherwise noted. This time, all of the photographs were taken literally in my front or back yard.

This male Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) appeared to be drinking water off the gravel of my drivaway after a rain.

This Leaf Footed Bug (Acanthocephala terminalis) was enjoying my deck.

Yes, I love a good mushroom photograph. I wish I knew what kind it is, but I don't.

An adorable grasshopper nymph on a red clover leaf.


After turing over a board I discovered this
Common Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris).


I also found a female spider with her egg sac.




Spider photos to follow!





Arachnophobes proceed no further!

Unfortunately, I was unable to determine what kind of spider she is.


She looks similar to a Rabid Wolf Spider (Rabidosa rabida),

but she also resembles a Fishing Spider (Dolomedes okefinokensis).

If I can find her again and if her babies have hatched and if they are riding on her abdomen, she is a Wolf Spider. That is a strangly maternal behavior unique to Wolf Spiders.

As always, you can click on any of the photos for a closer look.

Don't forget to
stop by

blogging from bolivia
to link up your own Macro Friday post!

-Susan