As we recently alluded to in the post entitled, “The Awakening Hillside – Blame it on The Boy,” El Niño has been working overtime here in San Clemente prompting storm after storm making even our normal rainy season unseasonably wet. The abundant rains have awakened insects of all kind that seem to scurry from all corners to take advantage of the feeding frenzy made possible by all of the new growth. While many insects are content to dine on plants, others lie in wait to feed on each other!
I was thinking about this inevitable law of nature – circle of life – sort of thing when I stepped outside for a brief walk around the yard. It had rained (again) in the night and this morning, so when the sun popped out I went out to see what the local wildlife was up to.
This is our patio area as seen from our sliding glass door. I wanted to show this to give you a sense of proportion. There is about eight feet of space between the patio and the brick wall. There are several plants and a bird feeder in that area. Every morning for the last few weeks I have, as part of my daily routine, had to remove the work of little guys like this.
Small spiders work all night, rain or shine to span the open areas in our back yard.
This morning there was an intricate web stretching from numerous points on the blue flowered bush on the left to the bird feeder and green plant on the right. And hanging upside down in the middle of it all was this beautiful venusta orchard spider.
We have featured these little beauties before. What I continue to be amazed at is how marvelous their web creations are! This spider has a body length of only about three eighths of an inch, but in the course of one night he somehow manages to bridge gaps three or four feet apart and weave his complex web.
I walk through these webs regularly and try to systematically clear them away each morning, but still these little creatures work on and repair or rebuild their webs every day.
He hangs on to one of the last remaining strands and shows off his unusual profile.
His web now destroyed, he waits patiently under this leaf to start the process anew tonight.
While I was searching for more spiders I was treated to a fly by from the Ecuadorian Air Force.
Just after this group flew by three more groups of low flying planes sped by.
Perhaps they were on patrol for drug runners. Or, perhaps they just were out to enjoy some beautiful Ecuadorian sunshine!
After they passed by I noticed some fluttering in amongst the ground cover plants along the patio’s edge.
This butterfly had discovered another spider web created by this little guy.
Even as I worked to free the butterfly from his sticky trap the spider started to shimmy over toward his prey.
Luckily the butterfly was not too entwined in the web and I managed to free him. He flew away to safety avoiding the ominous jaws of the spider.
I broke up this web as well, but doubt that I will be able to save all of the errant butterflies in our yard. Still I went around to the front yard to see what was happening there.
Two Ecuadorian ground doves were looking for insects and seeds near our prickly pear cactus.
These birds are not bashful and let me get fairly close to them as they searched on in spite of my presence.
One other thing I have been musing about lately has to do with symmetry. Somewhere many years ago I remember a teacher telling us that all things in nature are symmetrical. Well, I guess that teacher never saw a ceibo tree. We have done many posts on these unusual trees and they are anything but symmetrical! But even ceibo trees could learn something from prickly pear cactus (called tuna in Spanish) about asymmetrical growth.
Sure, sometimes they start out sort of symmetrical.
How about a nice prickly pear hug?!?
Even the small species of cactus I planted a couple of months ago started out symmetrical, but now is branching out in all sorts of directions.
The other cactus plants have not even been making an effort at symmetry. Here is one especially wild cluster which has sprung up from one leaf in the last two or three months.
Cactus row is forming into a formidable hedge of prickly pear growth. Beautiful and green, but certainly not symmetrical!
That will do it for today.
Life abounds here in our yard where…
Life is good in Ecuador!
Great closeups
LikeLike
Thanks. I know many people do not like spiders (especially Mary!), but I think they are fascinating and beautiful in close-ups.
LikeLike
cool looking spider!!! I saw some post’s of the waves splashing up by the “road” by San Jacinto!
LikeLike
Thank you. Yes, we have been having some high tides lately. The fishermen have had to move their boats up onto the road. But we expect the situation will right itself soon.
LikeLike
Yeah, another post from you guys! As always, I love your photos and stories of your life there.
LikeLike
It is good to see you have caught up! Thanks for reading and commenting on so many of the old posts.
We are glad you like the pictures. Many people do not like spiders, but I think they are fascinating in close up photos.
LikeLike
I don’t particularly like them crawling on me, haha, but they can be beautiful creatures like all of God’s creations. I’ve so enjoyed reading all your old posts and will continue to follow along with you guys. Have a Blessed Sunday!
LikeLike
Igualmente! Happy Valentine’s Day.
LikeLike
Yeah, spiders are lovely in a photo, and there I can appreciate them too. Marvelous critters who perform magnificent feats, when you think about it. But lo if one were to skitter up your back whilst you man your BBQ, well, panic would ensue. I once read or heard somewhere that the average person ingests 8 spiders a year and doesn’t even know it. They crawl into your mouth whilst you’re sleeping, or something like that. I don’t know if I believe this, but if it is true, I would hazard to say then that you, my Ecuadorian friend, have ingested a considerable more bounty of spiders than I, and in that regard at least, I do not envy your warm blooded jungle life quite as much! Still, a man should know if a spider crawled in his mouth at night. How could he not notice that! Even so, it is well to keep ones mouth shut, I guess, for a multiple of reasons.
Take care, John in Ecuador! Blessings to you and Mary.
LikeLike
You could be right, but I, like you, believe I would know if a spider crawled into my mouth even in the deepest sleep. When I was in Australia it seemed like I ingested at least one fly a month just trying to talk. (Flies abound in Australia and swarm around one’s head constantly.) So at least a spider who manages to crawl into my mouth would find some delectable old flies to dine on.
We have a pretty strict rule against spiders in the house and I am sure that Mary would loudly announce the presence of any spiders in the bedroom.
Stay warm, my friend. Spring is right around the corner and you will be blessed with your own supply of spiders once again in Minnesota.
LikeLike
Love your spider pictures John!
LikeLike
Thank you, Lori. I think they are interesting little critters!
LikeLike