Sunday, November 6, 2011

Did I Squish It??

This is a follow-up to my last post (about the Gypsy Mine).  On our drive back, my wife said "Stop! I think you just ran over a tarantula!!"  


Well, thankfully, I didn't squish him, but it added a little comedy to our late afternoon drive.  The sun had just set, it was getting dark, and the tarantula had  run under the Jeep!  I couldn't pull forward for fear of running him over.  We tried getting down on our hands and knees and using sticks to scare him out from under the Jeep, but no luck.  As we circled the Jeep and looked underneath again, the tarantula seemed to have vanished!  Seriously, we could not find him anywhere!  Could he have climbed into the Jeep?  How fast are tarantulas, and can they climb??  We started getting a little creeped out, and then I spotted him...on the inside of the wheel rim!  Finally, after much poking and prodding, we got him away from the Jeep and out of harm's way.  It was now dusk with limited light, so sorry the photo is a little blurry, but here he is...a big, healthy tarantula!   Did I say big?  This guy was huge!  What a fun end to our afternoon at the Gypsy Mine!

Happy Macro Monday, and have a great week!!

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20 comments:

  1. BarbNovember 6, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    So pleased you spotted it before it got squished. But then again, if you hadn't spotted it and it got squished you'd have probably been none the wiser. Funny how that works. Nice pics, though.

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  2. Lap Dog KnitsNovember 6, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    Great photo... so close up and creepy...

    hope he lives a long life....

    way out there....far from here.

    You have a smart wife to stay in the car!

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  3. Dutch GirlNovember 6, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    Ah, come here little spider, we'll help you cross the road safely!

    Great to be able to see the furry critters out in the wild!

    Great photo of bug and the wife/photo/model. I have a feeling she would probably make a pet out of it, if you would let her.

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  4. AnonymousNovember 6, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    Ah yes, that's a furry guy!! Glad he survived to scare again.

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  5. JamaNovember 7, 2011 at 1:21 AM

    The only tarantula I've seen is at the zoo, it's huge! as big as my palm. Good thing it's inside an glass enclosure, I would have freak out if I ever come across a life on like how you did.

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  6. Stewart MNovember 7, 2011 at 1:45 AM

    Hi there - I was going to big up a picture of a big spider next week - but then you put up a picture of a BIG spider! Better not get competitive here I think.

    Nice post - not really sure there would be a marker for "A brake for spiders" bumper stickers, but you never know.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

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  7. B i r g i t t aNovember 7, 2011 at 4:24 AM

    Great macro of the spider :)

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  8. PegNovember 7, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    I've never seen a tarantula in the wild, suspect they're nocturnal? Sorry, spiders creep me out, 'cept for maybe a daddy long legs... but nice pics and cute story to go along...

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  9. KarenNovember 7, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    Ackkkkkkkk...but a terrific shot!

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  10. JudyNovember 7, 2011 at 7:32 AM

    You sure have had a good time, the last week or so!! But if you have tarantulas there, maybe I am not going to visit...
    Love the sunset photos, where you are a mile high!!

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  11. genieNovember 7, 2011 at 7:39 AM

    You all were pretty blog with this shot. Seeing a tarantula up close and personal would be an awesome sight. Boy, did you get some great shots. genie

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  12. Furry BottomsNovember 7, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    Aieeee! I probably would have just run over it. Tarantulas and I are not friends. Nope. But thats just me! I admire you for your bravery though! and great shots!

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  13. Furry BottomsNovember 7, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    I thought spiders were only supposed to have 8 legs, not 10. Your furry friend looks like he has ten legs.

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  14. Kim, USANovember 7, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    It freak me out too if you haven't find that tarantula. But you sure there is no other tarantula with the one you have saw? Hmmm check out your jeep, lol! Just joking too late to say peek a boo!!
    Happy Monday! Thanks for the visit!Mi Macro

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  15. IdaNovember 7, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    Creepy but Cool! For some reason Tarantula's do not freak me out like a little spider does.
    So glad you found it and saved it.

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  16. SheriNovember 7, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    Great photo and fun story too. However, I was on the truck's side as spiders terrify me!! You are so brave! I would have fainted...

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  17. AnonymousNovember 7, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    Glad you were able to get a shot of him and not run him over!

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  18. Diane AZNovember 8, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    Cool shots! I see tarantulas occasionally. They seem to be rather slow and delicate compared to smaller spiders. Little scorpions scare me. :)

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  19. betchaiNovember 11, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    gee, it is indeed huge! i never saw one, and don't know how i would react if i see one. i am not sure if i would be brave enough to take pictures, or my picture would be too blurred because of my shaking hands and trembling body.

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  20. LisaNovember 16, 2011 at 9:54 PM

    Haha! I love the photo of your wife looking down at the tarantula!

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