Journal archives for August 2018

August 4, 2018

Crab spiders

The first crab spider I ever notice was a bright yellow one that had gotten itself somewhere that was not yellow, so it stood out against whatever the background was, leaf, wrong colored flower, whatever. I have since learned that they are able to change to match the color of the perch they choose, but that day I moved it to a yellow flower.

Another find was an odd bee, that wasn't moving, among a cluster of Oregon Grape (Mahonia) blossoms. As I looked closer I realized there was a bright yellow camouflaged spider holding that Honey bee.

I have read they take whatever is available, but for the most part, the ones around our canyon seem to end up with bees. One of particular note found an Arrowleaf Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagitatta). That spider was hidden in the curve of the petals like a surfer riding inside a cresting wave.

Posted on August 4, 2018 03:00 PM by wenatcheeb wenatcheeb | 2 observations | 2 comments | Leave a comment