North Carolina swamps in July can be miserable places. 95 degrees, super high humidity, snakes, fire ants, and spiders. If it weren't for the fact these ladies are catching and eating huge quanties of yellow deer flies, then they'd just add to the misery. Following a bear trail into the woods, these things build their webs at face level. One right after another. For a spider, they're gorgeous, harmless and huge. God, I love the swamp.



Like many wives, this one has paralyzed and wrapped the one that just impregnated her in silk and will eat him when she's ready.


I believe this is a black and yellow garden spider.


But I don't love these. Damned fire ants are the devil's pets. Only got three sting yesterday. My first stings of the year.


Red Wolf, one I've photographed before.


And this 2 or 3 year old. This little guy was so unconcerned about me walking the trail beside hide that he raised his head once and put it back down into his soybean salad. I think I could have touched him. I certainly wanted to pick the ticks off his ears.

I don't know why, but I always seem to want to get pix of spiders too. Certain species I hate, especially in the house, but gotta admit they are still cool looking.

This particular one was hanging out in the yard for several days:

(Just an Iphone shot)