I love this so much!! Those big garden spiders are my absolute favorite spiders! Even though most spiders bother me, for some reason, I am utterly in love with those. I hope you get to see the babies!
Charlottes Web: I used to read that book to my second graders every year one chapter a day during our study of spiders. (I always had trouble repressing my tears when I read the ending.) Many/most of my students were afraid of spiders when we started the unit but by the end they were defenders of the valuable critters.
Thanks for loving spiders and for this heartfelt accounting.
Ah, Betsy ... thank you for turning young kids' mind around to the fact that spiders are our friends, not our enemies. How wonderful that you did that every year while you were teaching. I love it!
I love this. I saw a sac once give birth to millions of baby spiders. Somehow it had been maneuvered onto a black umbrella for reasons that escape me and the babies looked like stars against the black "sky". We moved the umbrella as it was right outside my home and didn't want all those babies in my space. It was a miracle and your writing brings it back. thank you
I was fortunate to witness a ballooning of Argiope spiderlings back during the pandemic. They hatched from an egg sac that had been wintering in the cowl between the windshield and the hood of a car parked in our driveway. It was a windy March day. Perfect for parachuting baby spiders. Hope you get to see it too!
oh oh oh, Jeanne, this was so beautiful. I loved the end. And the beginning. And the middle. The egg sac! The doomed yet prayed over butterfly! I think you have inspired me to write about nature, something I rarely do. Have you ever read Sue Hubbell? This reminded me of her a bit.
Not a lot blooming yet here, Kim, other than forsythia, redbud, and assorted spring wildflowers. I haven't even really started the herb garden yet. Hope spring arrives in your garden soon!
A lovely tale. I love argiope, but have not seen her in this garden, despite all of the pollinating insects about. Maybe she is hanging out in secret places.
Nice piece. I look forward to seeing the garden spiders here, although they have been fewer in number more recently. Hope you and yours are well.
You too, John! I appreciate you being here.
Beautifully observed, thank you.
Thank you, Kaspa!
We had one who made a home on our porch above some hanging baskets. She left several egg cases and this post reminded me that I need to check on them!
Oh! I hope you might see something, Misti ... a little miracle of your own. That spider really graced you.
Fascinating! Please send out the birth announcement.
I will, Sue!
Ha!!!
I love this so much!! Those big garden spiders are my absolute favorite spiders! Even though most spiders bother me, for some reason, I am utterly in love with those. I hope you get to see the babies!
Wish you could be here to take photos when it happens, Karen!
I love these spiders and always think of Charlotte. Thanks for the science behind the story.
You're welcome, Kathryn ... and thank you for reading & commenting! I'm glad you're also a Charlotte fan.
Thank you for this wonderful writing. I am intrigued to learn about the spider(s) and their lives. Amazing creatures!
Yes, Jenny, they are amazing, for sure! You're welcome and thank you for being here!
Charlottes Web: I used to read that book to my second graders every year one chapter a day during our study of spiders. (I always had trouble repressing my tears when I read the ending.) Many/most of my students were afraid of spiders when we started the unit but by the end they were defenders of the valuable critters.
Thanks for loving spiders and for this heartfelt accounting.
Ah, Betsy ... thank you for turning young kids' mind around to the fact that spiders are our friends, not our enemies. How wonderful that you did that every year while you were teaching. I love it!
Love your spider story. Nature never ceases to amaze us if we pay attention and notice. Thank you.
You're welcome, Jessica! And thank you for being here! I so agree about nature.
I love this. I saw a sac once give birth to millions of baby spiders. Somehow it had been maneuvered onto a black umbrella for reasons that escape me and the babies looked like stars against the black "sky". We moved the umbrella as it was right outside my home and didn't want all those babies in my space. It was a miracle and your writing brings it back. thank you
Wow, Susi, what a memory of an amazing thing!
I was fortunate to witness a ballooning of Argiope spiderlings back during the pandemic. They hatched from an egg sac that had been wintering in the cowl between the windshield and the hood of a car parked in our driveway. It was a windy March day. Perfect for parachuting baby spiders. Hope you get to see it too!
How wonderful, MK! That sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime thing.
oh oh oh, Jeanne, this was so beautiful. I loved the end. And the beginning. And the middle. The egg sac! The doomed yet prayed over butterfly! I think you have inspired me to write about nature, something I rarely do. Have you ever read Sue Hubbell? This reminded me of her a bit.
Thank you so much, Jocelyn! I'm glad this touched you. I don't know of Sue Hubbell; will check her out!
She has several books, but my favorite is A Country Year. ❤️
I already like that title!
Your garden is way ahead of mine! My coastal SoCal space is just beginning to feel spring-y.
Not a lot blooming yet here, Kim, other than forsythia, redbud, and assorted spring wildflowers. I haven't even really started the herb garden yet. Hope spring arrives in your garden soon!
A lovely tale. I love argiope, but have not seen her in this garden, despite all of the pollinating insects about. Maybe she is hanging out in secret places.
She might well be, Carmine -- keep your eyes open!
Even as a kid, I liked spiders. Certain insects - roaches and paper wasps, especially - are quite annoying. But spiders are awesome.
Glad you like them!