OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kdmac]

As is my routine, I am in and out of the trailer all day long...read outside, come inside and do something constructive, go out again to read, come inside to potty....never once concerned of what may await me on my patioette. I believe a picture is worth a thousand words, I for one was speechless!
Just right there on the mat was my little furry buddie. I dreaded the day one would show up, knowing it was a likely eventuality. I knew I had to "relocate" him as he was not welcome in my camp.
I quickly devised a plan. Not knowing how quickly they move when they want to I had to test that. So, I lifted my bed to get my fishing pole out from storage there. I slid the screen door panel to the side and touched him with the fishing pole...up go the fangs and front legs...really very cool. He was sluggish and slow. Knowing he was slow I went out the other door (bedroom) to the truck and got my art supply tote and brought it back to the living room and emptied it. By now Mr. T was ever so slowly heading east...I place the tipped tote in front of him and nudged him in there. Alas, down goes the cover and I walked him far away from my camp and released him. off he went to do what it is tarantulas do.
Needless to say, I have the willy willies....as we used to say when I was a child. I have no fear of snakes, or most any bug....but spiders are the culprit..I wish I could overcome that, but just can't.
I became somewhat attached to Mr. T. as he is so large it isn't quite the same. and he is so vulnerable I felt a responsibility to be gentle. What a kick....
I am dreading my laundry basket as it is just about time to head down to the laundromat and I plan to don some gloves before "goin in"





Some pretty shots of textures on my drive yesterday





The Promise After the Rain

[asirimarco]

You should make prints of the rainbow picture and sell them. Beautiful. One of my sons brought a Brazilian trantula home with us under his hat on an airplane when we came home from South America many years ago. He/it lived for a long time.

[AlmostThere]

That would freak me out, too, but my fear is scorpions ! They can be really tiny and crawl in almost anywhere. Really had to shake out my clothes/shoes every time we visited MX. Wore shoes in the house as we saw some scurrying around the floor and on the beams across the ceiling. Was careful whenever sticking my hands in a cabinet, too.

[Redetotry]

I agree, make prints of the rainbow picture. You do great photography, good eye.

I remember reading about you son Carol bringing the tarantula home under his hat! By that time you were probably not fazed by much though after all you encountered on that trip.

[Acadianmom]

My son had a Tarantula when he was about 10. He is allergic to a lot of thing and we didn't even get home before he had a reaction to it and he didn't even touch it. Guess who had to take care of it until we finally traded it for an Iguana. I would have to go to the bait shop and buy 5 crickets.

Martha

[BarbaraRose]

I guess we have lots of turantulas out here but so far haven't seen one. I don't think they are dangerous tho, not like scorpions or black widow spiders.

That rainbow looks like it ends right in front of you! Awesome!

[kdmac]

I guess we have lots of turantulas out here but so far haven't seen one. I don't think they are dangerous tho, not like scorpions or black widow spiders.

That rainbow looks like it ends right in front of you! Awesome!

Yea, the rainbow was right out there in front of me. I could see its end right on the ground out in front of me...no pot of gold. Of course, it was a total arch and I could see both ends but it was too close to be able to capture the full thing with my camera....sure was beautiful.

[snowball]

have not seen one of those!!! sidewinder but not one of those think that is more spooky than the snake was
DH saw the rainbow said that one end of it went into someones motor home...doubt that they found the gold either
It is a gorgeous photo as all of yours are
sheila

[kdmac]

have not seen one of those!!! sidewinder but not one of those think that is more spooky than the snake was
DH saw the rainbow said that one end of it went into someones motor home...doubt that they found the gold either
It is a gorgeous photo as all of yours are
sheila

SIDEWINDER!!! I have been keepin an eye out for them too and hope they are more afraid of me than I am of them and they don't decide to side wind up my pants leg.....Yikes!!! I am really only concerned about the small scorpions although they should be dormant this time of year, but you know there is always a wise guy in the bunch that figures he "don't need no stinkin nap"

[Nasoosie]

Spectacular tarantula picture, KD! Personally I don't mind spiders at all, as long as they aren't trying to get into my bed or sleeping bag! My daughter had a tarantula for a numbe of years, until he died shedding his skin----a not uncommon occurrence, I am told, if they get bumped or disturbed when the molting process is going on. I guess it's very stressful for them. I was able to let him crawl all over me with no fear. They are fascinating bugs, for sure.

And the rainbow is the closest one I have ever seen! Great shot also!

[sharon]

Wow, he's a beauty! Had one as a pet when I was young in Albuquerque, nice guy but he accidently bit me when a friend scared him so mom made me get rid of him. Saw one up in the high desert years ago when we were camping for a jeep run. Up by Calico Ghost Town. He didn't bother me but our German Shephard got a little to nosy with him so I urged him onto a 2X4 and walked him further out. He kept trying to crawl up the board to me, but I managed to get him far enough out that the dogs wouldn't bother him. Of course all of the guys were freaking out...bunch of weanies!

Gorgeous rainbow! They're so pretty in the desert with no trees to block them.

[Travelinana]

Truly beautiful pics. I don't let my dislike of spiders, snakes and many bugs keep me shut in the house. I have dug around rocks knowing I was in copperhead territory but I always know the sight of these creatures might cause a heart attack. I love ladybugs and lightning bugs and tolerate most insects. We have a pet store and my partner insisted on snakes. I walk in and look but I would never, ever clean the cages like he does. I am fascinated by those who want snakes and spiders for pets, even many women let those gross things crawl all over them I hope to get to this part of country to take my own pics

[Christine]

EEEEEK!!! i hate those spiders or any spiders.... glad it was in your abode and not mine.. I would be so paranoid about going back inside my trailer!!!! I would be armed with a swatter or spraY.... EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!

[Birdie]

What a beauty, the spidey. I believe the female is brown and the male is black - or vice versa. The male hopes to live to mate at about 10 years of age and dies by 12 if she doesn't get him after breeding. The female rarely moves more than several yards from her home, a hole. Only leaves it to look for food. I think that they actually shoot the belly fur as a defense. Not poison but some people will be allergic. Bet she was waiting on the rainbow.

I'd encourage you to have a small bucket, think toy, with pebbles in it and place it near the door. If you see a snake pitch a few toward it and await for it to move. Some of them are very aggressive (Mojave) but most are not and will waddle away when you pitch little pebbles at them. If they come at you do run because you don't want a bite. Rattlers should not be relocated more than a mile from their home. If they must be relocated more than that they should be destroyed. I believe that is the Arizona 'rule of thumb'. That is because they are territorial and cannot survive out of their territory because they don't know where there now food is located. There is a snake book that tells you about the various venomous ones where they normally are in AZ. Mojave like the mountains and are toxin as well as venom deliverer as is the Tiger. The Tiger is deadly, no recovery, I have been told. The Mojave is a close second and more plentiful.

Gorgeous photos Kathy. You could sell many of yours and should take a more monetary view at that. Keep taking those photos and loving that desert.

[Liz]

Oh, I wish I had views like that on my way to the laundromat! Simply gorgeous. And how nice of you to relocate Mr. T. Great adventures you are having.