Another wonderful thing about having a garden is that it allows you plenty of opportunity for backyard nature study. Not only do we learn about the plants and such, we also learn about the rabbits and birds that are attracted to the garden. And this week, we have had a different kind of visitor.
This spider is a black and yellow argiope and it is about 1 1/4 inches long! Good thing we ran into it outside. It is a pretty interesting spider in its behavior and its webbing, and we have been reading all about it. 
I drew a picture of her in my nature notebook, and I was trying to get the kids to do the same. They preferrerd the Monarch butterfly on our butterfly bush and/or the mushrooms in the backyard.
Aaaccckkkk!! More spiders!! Shudder! That's a pretty one, though!
Posted by: MamaJen | September 06, 2007 at 04:23 PM
This spider is also nicknamed a 'writing spider', for obvious reasons. And when it states that they are "sensitive to vibrations" - ummmm...they are right! Just ask my oldest, my sister, and my outside kitty!
Posted by: Shelly | September 06, 2007 at 10:51 PM
Wow - what an awesome spider! And what a great picture you got!!
Posted by: Kelly | September 07, 2007 at 12:01 AM