In birthday terms, I've probably been stalking for more years than I have years remaining to stalk. But it's amazing what can still surprise.
I saw a velvet ant this week. I don't think they're particularly rare, but this makes only the third time I've encountered one.
She was in a hurry and wouldn't pose at all. When I looked up the latin name, Dasymutilla occidentalis, I read that they make an odd sqeaking/squealing noise when captured. So now I'll have to try that next time I see one. They're also called cow-killers because of an extremely painful sting, though I haven't found anyone who has first-hand knowledge of it.
During the weekly cat walk, George investigated a humongous fungus. A champion champignon!
I don't remember ever seeing a mushroom this large. Some wild critter had left small scratches on the surface - it must have been curious too.
Hubby found a spider hiding between some rocks in the creek.
Turns out there are fishing spiders! Dolomedes tenebrosus or scriptus. I think this is the latter. The leg span can reach 3 inches (7.6 cm). I like spiders reasonably well, but I think I'd have to put this one out if he came in the house... I've seen enough spy movies to know that a spider that big and hairy would definitely want to crawl all over my face in the middle of the night.
What new thing did you discover this week?
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