Spider and funny zig zag on web
It is getting pretty scary around here. Dogs one night and spider the next day. As I went out to my car to get my purse about 8 am, I was met by this. The whole door was covered by the web. I usually just step out the door in a fog that early in the morning. But, this spider is three inches long, maybe longer. Since I wanted a picture of it, I tried to just break the web at the edge at the door facing.
When I pulled at a little place, I could hear the web break. It was so creepy. By the time I got back from the car with the camera ready, it was gone. Today, I suppose it got the idea I would come and open the door, so the web is on the back of the porch, right next to the door where the light inside probably attracts bugs.
This monster spider can stay if it continues to keep the door window free of bugs. That way, I don't have to rush to get in. Usually, flying bugs get in anyway.
Does anyone know what kind of spider this is? Look at the little zig zag ladder-like thing under the spider. What is that? What is the purpose? It had one of those over the door window, too.
Chickens
"Run"
When I went out to hang up clothes, I put them in a trash bag. I cannot carry the laundry basket or the huge stainless steel bowl that I use sometimes. So, I use a trash bag and make several trips. I can hold the bag of wet clothing close to my body and I don't hurt as much.
Well, that bag is not something I carry near the hens. They decided it was scary, so they all ran away. In the beginning they were frightened of towels on the line. Now, they don't care. Snapping a piece of laundry to make it dry faster and softer does not make them run. But, plastic garbage bag is obviously much scarier. Silly hens!
The little one is taller than Patsy Cline (on right) but does not have the heft. The exbf commented that Patsy Cline is almost as tall as Thelma (on left.).
Your turn
Do you know what kind of spider I have outside my door? Are your chickens skittish of anything new at first?
It's a corn spider. Harmless.
ReplyDeleteMike,
DeleteThanks. Now, I can look it up. If that ever got on me, I would die of fright.
It's called a garden spider, but beyond that I can't say. I haven't seen one since I lived in Mississippi, and I sure do miss them.
ReplyDeleteSnow,
DeleteI don't think I have ever seen one of those. But, I would be glad to send this one to you. Hey, if people can mail chickens, I can mail a spider.
I wish we did have them here in Oregon. No garden spiders, no cardinals, no mockingbirds, but then no roaches either to speak of (I've never once seen a single roach--or a poisonous snake, come to think of it). BTW, the spider is Argiope aurantia, commonly known as the black and yellow garden spider, writing spider, or corn spider, this according to Wikipedia.
DeleteLove that spider's web.
ReplyDeleteEC,
DeleteNot in my face...lol. That zigzag is not something I have ever seen.
My chickens scatter if they see something new. Then they avoid it like the plague.
ReplyDeleteMichelle,
DeleteWhen slugmama came, she wanted to know why I was going away from her as she tried to approach. I was trying to get the chickens to keep coming and get them in their pen. But, it looked like I was avoiding her. The hens had to run past her to get to me, but they were brave that time.
For a long time, they avoided the clothes on the line until one day, I saw them pecking on the towels! Lint?
Yep, Snowbrush is right, a black and yellow garden spider. Love it's zigzag web.
ReplyDeleteQuestion - why would you leave your purse in your car? Seems to me to just be asking for someone to break into your car and remove it. We're hypersensitive to this type of crime as there have been many car break-ins in GATED communities in our area because people feel safe. Love your chicken stories.
Tom, somehow my reply went below the next comment. I am glad you love my chicken stories.
DeleteI've pictures of a huge Writing Spider that spent a summer on my back deck. Harmless and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIn North America, Argiope aurantia is commonly known as the black and yellow garden spider, zipper spider, corn spider, and writing spider, because of the similarity of the web stabilimenta to writing.
Sissy,
DeleteYep, I read that on Wikipedia, too, after people told me the name of the spider.
See pictures I posted of my spider. A bit different looking than yours though.
DeleteTom,
ReplyDeleteI cannot can carry much at one time, so if I have a gallon of milk to carry in, I cannot carry my purse. I always intend to go back and get it. Many times, my purse is on the floor or amongst other plastic bags.
My neighborhood is probably safer than any gated community around. That said, someone did take skateboards off my neighbor's porch. However, the thief took $50 skateboards and left $1000 worth of tools. So, it was just kids and has never happened before or since and I have lived here since 1977.
I am aware and lock my car even if I am coming in for a few minutes. Every time I leave my purse in the car, I am fearful the next morning. My house is so horrible that people probably think there is nothing here to take.
While I feel safe, I never consciously take chances with my purse, so the correct expression of what I did is "I forgot my purse in the car overnight." So, thanks for your caution to me.
A friend would leave her purse in the car every night on purpose and leave the doors unlocked. She knew she lived in a bad neighborhood. No matter how many times she came out and found the car door open and her purse rifled through, she just kept leaving it there. The teens were openly hostile to her and always in trouble, but she said she did not think anyone would bother her things in HER and in HER driveway. I try not to be that stupid.
Thanks.
We have those and people call them a "drawing spider," but I figured that was not the real name. It's Argiope aurantia or the Black and Yellow Garden Spider. You can find more information here: http://www.spiders.us/species/filter/tennessee/
ReplyDeleteLet your geek flag fly, Cherdo....homeschoolers, what can you do with them? They just don't ignore a chance to look something up...
Cherdo,
DeleteLOL...about the homeschooler!
Well, whatever kind of spider it may be, you've nailed it on the head. MONSTER spider. Yes. I would not like this above my door at all. I would rush in like you. The odd web is intriguing though.
ReplyDelete