Shoup Airlines

Allow Me to Introduce You…

So in preparation for yesterday’s entry I wanted to go out and get some of my own photos of these not so little creatures. I thought it would be rather easy, knowing what to look for and avoid. As usual, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I actually went back to the very spot where I started the land nav course and headed off in the same general direction knowing it wouldn’t take long to enter their territory. Apparently, they’ve expanded that territory a little large bit. I think I took about 15 steps before snagging a web around my leg and arm. I wasn’t concerned at first only because it felt like a normal web, invisible and thin. You know when you’ve snagged a weaver’s web, you will actually feel the pull and friggin’ HEAR the “twang” of the strand snapping. So I started searching for the offending non-event spider that I entangled. I found him dangling about 12 inches between my legs and rapidly making a climb for an area he wasn’t invited too. I let him know with the end of my tripod. He didn’t think that was very funny as he crawled away. I kid you not, three rather hefty whacks of the tripod did not deter this little black and white guy. I have no idea what he was, but I digress…

After that little encounter I began to realize I wasn’t properly dressed for this little excursion wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Or that’s the excuse I told myself for not hanging around much longer. I took about 5 more steps and saw her less than 3 feet from me. I would have walked into this one as well had I not stopped. You laugh, but it’s difficult to actually spot them hanging between the trees because your eyes focus further out then right between the trees.

She’s not as big as I would have liked but the heeby jeebies prevented me from trudging deeper into the forest only because I knew the big ones were out there and I couldn’t see them. Plus, as I finished up this one’s photo shoot, which by the way she seemed more than happy to pose for, I noticed another one not 5 feet away on another set of trees. Remembering that sinking feeling of being entrapped by these gals I decided to call it a day.

Call me a wuss all you want, but until you come out for a visit and get your own face to face with one of these vamps I could really care less what you think. If you’re still snickering, on the drive into the base yesterday morning I think they were on a “display of force” mission. Every 10 to 20 yards or so, right along the forest edge, were 5 to 10 foot webs with a black and gold darling sitting right in the middle of each. This continued for a good mile on both sides of the road!  We’ve never seen anything before or since. Very awe inspiring. Very creepy as well.

As usual, the rest of the photo shoot is up in the gallery. There will be more to come just as soon as I can build the gumption back up again or get someone to go with me.