Spider on my walk – Photo: L. Weikel

Stumped

I’m stumped. I don’t know if it’s because I have a headache or what, but I am having a devil of a time coming up with anything you might find interesting to read.

I’m using as my ‘featured image’ a photo of a spider that Karl and I came upon on our walk the other night. If you look carefully, you can see the rainbow background of a speed limit sign, which is where she was busily creating a rather massive web.

She actually made me screech when I initially approached to ask for her photo. She bolted across the web in my general direction so quickly that it freaked me out. I wonder if she was sleeping and I scared her every bit as much as (or probably even more than) she surprised me.

I was impressed by her size, speed, and beauty.

Another Thing

I’m ever vigilant about the evil Spotted Lantern Flies (SLF), and always on a hair trigger eradication campaign. Even though I’m pretty sure they’ve been spotted in abundance along the towpath, as well as other places surrounding us, I am hopeful that maybe we will escape the worst of this infestation.

I’m doing my part. I’m happy to report that, so far, we have not encountered more than one SLF per walk, and – even better – taken many walks without seeing any.

Karl always knows when I’ve found one, though, because a host of profanities suddenly spews onto the pavement, completely out of context to what we may have been discussing, as I vigorously stomp on the singlet I’ve discovered. And you have to either be quick or crafty when trying to smoosh these jerks. They quite unexpectedly jump/fly. Quickly, maddeningly, and far!

I’ve been trying to keep an eye out for egg masses but haven’t found any. So I don’t know if the occasional singlets I’m discovering may have been hitchhikers on cars passing by (which is my hope) or I’m just awful at spotting the egg cases.

I sure hope we can keep them at bay and avoid an infestation around here. Stay on the lookout for them and show no mercy.

(T-778)