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Sue Anderson's avatar

Oh yeah, tarantulas. We have plenty of them here in Texas. Had several that overwintered against the foundation of our previous house (in protected niches). I had to be very careful mowing, since they were often cruising across the yard. Have seen fewer up here on the Escarpment in our current house.

On yesterday’s post: would love to know the names and see pix of those striking birds you so colorfully described.

Pretty dull around here in comparison.

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David W. Zoll's avatar

Just got my bird guide today!!! Stand by for more and better info in future posts!

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Paul McCutchen's avatar

Looked like an impressive trail. I have lizards running around and I believe they are after ants and other small insects. I call them all "Fred". Don't know why but seems like naming them was the thing to do.

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Sue Anderson's avatar

Fred just feels right. Go with it!

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David W. Zoll's avatar

Fred seems appropriate! Like Fred FlintStone!

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

Loved the tarantula, David. A friend of mine who worked as a park ranger brought a huge garden spider to my daughter's class. The spider's name was Susie and spanned wider that a salad plate. I put my hand right in front of her and she place the end of one of her legs on it, just to get acquainted. Then my friend picked her up very carefully to put her back in her carrier. Spiders can lose legs and grow them back, but tarantulas, and maybe Susie, would die if they fell off of something and shattered into pieces. Got that info from another ranger at a zoo.

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David W. Zoll's avatar

Was Susie related to Charlotte? My favorite spider of all time !

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

LOL! I don't think so. Susie was a lot bigger than Charlotte, but they are both orb weavers. Susie was probably one of those huge garden spiders that cast a web between the stems of two big sunflowers. She was at least five-six inches across. Charlotte was just a little thing. I'll see if I can find a decent photo of her online.

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Jane Baker's avatar

Tarantulas,no! Looking over the Pacific,like Cortez.

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David W. Zoll's avatar

But not with the greed of Cortez, I hope.

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Richbee's avatar

The park post pix are expressed and fit in with your notes on Egypt monolithic past time. Did have a pet tarantula I call Dr. Tran. Loved to devour a dozen crickets a week. Lived several years even molted a few times grew to size of small dinner plate. Finally had to pass through his pearly gates.

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David W. Zoll's avatar

Thanks Richard. Stones, monuments, mountains, monoliths, all connected.

Wow so cool to hear about Dr. Tran! Wonder if I could get one through customs. That would probably be easier than getting one past the BW🤣

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Richbee's avatar

Your local pet store is best bet. Bred in captivity can keep a cat amused for a minute.

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