Comments on: Consolation prizes http://xenogere.com/2008/10/13/consolation-prizes/ I do not intend to tiptoe through life only to arrive safely at death. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:12:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: jason http://xenogere.com/2008/10/13/consolation-prizes/comment-page-1/#comment-16539 jason Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:30:05 +0000 http://xenogere.com/?p=4922#comment-16539 Thanks, Clive! I'm sure the arachnid diversity hinges on location. Though you might not have some of the more colorful characters in your immediate area, they're probably lurking about not too far away. (I'll note I did a little digging to see what kind of spiders can be found in Britain. I'm jealous of the fact that the approximately 600 species of native spiders there are all relatively harmless.) I laughed uproariously at the idea of 360° vision meaning you see things you really don't want to see! For the spider it's useful, but otherwise I think you're right: I'd go through life with several eyes closed to avoid unsightly encounters. Thanks, Clive! I’m sure the arachnid diversity hinges on location. Though you might not have some of the more colorful characters in your immediate area, they’re probably lurking about not too far away. (I’ll note I did a little digging to see what kind of spiders can be found in Britain. I’m jealous of the fact that the approximately 600 species of native spiders there are all relatively harmless.)

I laughed uproariously at the idea of 360° vision meaning you see things you really don’t want to see! For the spider it’s useful, but otherwise I think you’re right: I’d go through life with several eyes closed to avoid unsightly encounters.

]]> By: Clive Hicks-Jenkins http://xenogere.com/2008/10/13/consolation-prizes/comment-page-1/#comment-16512 Clive Hicks-Jenkins Sun, 13 Dec 2009 05:13:02 +0000 http://xenogere.com/?p=4922#comment-16512 Oh these are just wonderful. Entirely new universes for me. Thank you. I keep my eyes peeled here, always alert to what's out in the garden. Our arachnids endlessly fascinate, but unless I'm missing something... and I don't think that I am... we just don't have the spectacularly colourful array that you clearly enjoy in your backyard. And I'm enchanted by the names too. The Green Lynx. I feel as though that should be a firework! As for the three hundred and sixty degrees of vision, my mind starts to unravel at the thought of possessing that. One might spy all sorts of things better left unseen. LOL! Handy for a predator though. Oh these are just wonderful. Entirely new universes for me. Thank you. I keep my eyes peeled here, always alert to what’s out in the garden. Our arachnids endlessly fascinate, but unless I’m missing something… and I don’t think that I am… we just don’t have the spectacularly colourful array that you clearly enjoy in your backyard. And I’m enchanted by the names too. The Green Lynx. I feel as though that should be a firework! As for the three hundred and sixty degrees of vision, my mind starts to unravel at the thought of possessing that. One might spy all sorts of things better left unseen. LOL! Handy for a predator though.

]]> By: jason http://xenogere.com/2008/10/13/consolation-prizes/comment-page-1/#comment-15261 jason Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:36:21 +0000 http://xenogere.com/?p=4922#comment-15261 It's funny that you mention the web, xocobra. For such a tiny spider, the females can weave enormous, intricate webs. This one constructed her home in the utility shed, and the doggone thing stretched from the ground to the rafters. She didn't seem big enough to produce all that silk! I just saw your post, Wayne, although I've not had a chance to comment yet. This isn't the only <i>Neoscona</i> spp. I've seen, and I have to agree that the entire genus seems full of gentle giants (although I've also found <i>Araneus</i> spp. to be equally large and beautiful, not to mention docile). Ah, green lynx spiders. There are larger and more beautiful arachnids, sure, but something about these unassuming, stoic predators fascinates me beyond words. They can sit on a flower petal for hours and hours without moving, then suddenly they become a deadly assassin when the right food comes along. And I have to admit I'm terribly impressed with their ability to see full-circle around them just by standing still. Wouldn't we all love to have that ability? It’s funny that you mention the web, xocobra. For such a tiny spider, the females can weave enormous, intricate webs. This one constructed her home in the utility shed, and the doggone thing stretched from the ground to the rafters. She didn’t seem big enough to produce all that silk!

I just saw your post, Wayne, although I’ve not had a chance to comment yet.

This isn’t the only Neoscona spp. I’ve seen, and I have to agree that the entire genus seems full of gentle giants (although I’ve also found Araneus spp. to be equally large and beautiful, not to mention docile).

Ah, green lynx spiders. There are larger and more beautiful arachnids, sure, but something about these unassuming, stoic predators fascinates me beyond words. They can sit on a flower petal for hours and hours without moving, then suddenly they become a deadly assassin when the right food comes along. And I have to admit I’m terribly impressed with their ability to see full-circle around them just by standing still. Wouldn’t we all love to have that ability?

]]> By: xocobra http://xenogere.com/2008/10/13/consolation-prizes/comment-page-1/#comment-15258 xocobra Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:59:55 +0000 http://xenogere.com/?p=4922#comment-15258 I actually found one of those crab spiders in my back yard last night. what a killer web she spins I actually found one of those crab spiders in my back yard last night. what a killer web she spins

]]> By: Wayne http://xenogere.com/2008/10/13/consolation-prizes/comment-page-1/#comment-15257 Wayne Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:50:14 +0000 http://xenogere.com/?p=4922#comment-15257 I do love the Neocomas, and just by coincidence celebrated Neoscoma crucifera this morning. They're our Charlottes, Jason! I've never seen your N. arabesca here though I ran across it on Bugguide this morning. Our cruciferas are extremely polite spiders. The spiny orb weavers are encountered here most in the deep woods, invisible until you run into their little webs strung between small trees at head level. They'll give you a little nip, too, if you end up with them on you after failing to notice them. The green lynx are among my favorites. I've been admiring them whenever I spot them, all summer. Very nice photos. I do love the Neocomas, and just by coincidence celebrated Neoscoma crucifera this morning. They’re our Charlottes, Jason! I’ve never seen your N. arabesca here though I ran across it on Bugguide this morning. Our cruciferas are extremely polite spiders.

The spiny orb weavers are encountered here most in the deep woods, invisible until you run into their little webs strung between small trees at head level. They’ll give you a little nip, too, if you end up with them on you after failing to notice them.

The green lynx are among my favorites. I’ve been admiring them whenever I spot them, all summer.

Very nice photos.

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