Ok, so it wasn't a giant, as in tarantula size, but still. Here in Toronto, Canada, I don't usually encounter spiders that approach 1 inch/2.5 cm in size. I consider those large. But this summer has been different. I think it has to do with that pesky garbage strike that lasted over a month. With garbage not being collected, we had an infestation of vermin, including fruit flies. I think the local spider population has benefited from that, as I have been seeing large spiders with higher frequency this summer.
Anyway, this morning I was on my way back from my run. I had almost arrived home, when I was somewhat startled to see a large spider. Not sure what species, trapdoor maybe? For this summer, not an oddity, but this was the first time I had ever seen a large spider that was... flying.
Startled, I ducked out of Airborne Spider's way. I know that some very small spiders can ride the winds with web-sails, but big ones? Looking back, naturally it wasn't really flying, but crawling sideways along a thread. If anything I was even more confused. This wasn't a backwoods trail, this was right next to a main road. There was a tree nearby, which was no doubt where one end of the spider's thread was attached. But the other direction led into the road. What the heck was the other end attached to? Was it strung up across the road? I hadn't the faintest idea. Quickly, someone call Newton! The law of gravity has been broken!
On an amusing note, just as this happened a cute Asian girl (and there hardly seems to be any other kind) was approaching. I considered warning her, but somehow I don't think she would have taken seriously a warning about looking out for air-raids by large spiders
Later, I encountered another GASP as I was opening my garage. It fell from the ceiling and almost landed on my head. At least, I think it was a spider. It had 8 long stringy legs, but it had a very small body, and it didn't have the hourglass shape most spiders have. It didn't look intimidating, just odd.
One final spider encounter was in the garage. It had spun a pretty thick mesh of web over a window. That sight alone creeped me out, and I brushed it away with a broom. The occupant of said web was another intimidating looking large critter. It didn't fall on my head, but it did get stuck on my broom, and was rather reluctant to leave. Probably because most of its home was now stuck on my broom. Sorry guy, get a building permit next time.
Oh, one final creepy note about spiders, specifically the trapdoor variety. Their webs are a very common sight here, among tall grasses and hedges. Once long ago I discovered if you probe their webs with a twig, a pen, or something inorganic, the spiders won't budge. But if you probe with a fingertip, then they burst out. Creepy.
Anyway, this morning I was on my way back from my run. I had almost arrived home, when I was somewhat startled to see a large spider. Not sure what species, trapdoor maybe? For this summer, not an oddity, but this was the first time I had ever seen a large spider that was... flying.
Startled, I ducked out of Airborne Spider's way. I know that some very small spiders can ride the winds with web-sails, but big ones? Looking back, naturally it wasn't really flying, but crawling sideways along a thread. If anything I was even more confused. This wasn't a backwoods trail, this was right next to a main road. There was a tree nearby, which was no doubt where one end of the spider's thread was attached. But the other direction led into the road. What the heck was the other end attached to? Was it strung up across the road? I hadn't the faintest idea. Quickly, someone call Newton! The law of gravity has been broken!
On an amusing note, just as this happened a cute Asian girl (and there hardly seems to be any other kind) was approaching. I considered warning her, but somehow I don't think she would have taken seriously a warning about looking out for air-raids by large spiders
Later, I encountered another GASP as I was opening my garage. It fell from the ceiling and almost landed on my head. At least, I think it was a spider. It had 8 long stringy legs, but it had a very small body, and it didn't have the hourglass shape most spiders have. It didn't look intimidating, just odd.
One final spider encounter was in the garage. It had spun a pretty thick mesh of web over a window. That sight alone creeped me out, and I brushed it away with a broom. The occupant of said web was another intimidating looking large critter. It didn't fall on my head, but it did get stuck on my broom, and was rather reluctant to leave. Probably because most of its home was now stuck on my broom. Sorry guy, get a building permit next time.
Oh, one final creepy note about spiders, specifically the trapdoor variety. Their webs are a very common sight here, among tall grasses and hedges. Once long ago I discovered if you probe their webs with a twig, a pen, or something inorganic, the spiders won't budge. But if you probe with a fingertip, then they burst out. Creepy.
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