Friday, September 24, 2010

Arachnid relocation expedition

Early this morning, before sunrise, a wildlife team of one embarked on an expedition to relocate a large argiope aurantia from its adopted home adjacent the left rear wheel of a crossover SUV to a more remote area near the back yard privacy fence.  Equipped with a large flashlight and a well-used wooden-handled straw broom, the intrepid team cautiously approached the argiope from the west.  Nervous with excitement, the team took a few steps forward when suddenly, it happened.  Someone broke wind.  SSSSHHH!!  The team paused briefly, listening for any sound that might indicate the argiope was aware of the team's presence due to the massive gaseous expulsion.  Hearing nothing, the team moved forward as the guilty team member grinned sheepishly.  Although argiope are not known to hunt or attack humans, the team was cautious because this particular argiope had already dispatched a large cicada a day earlier.  The team carefully approached the large web the argiope had constructed several days before.  At first, the argiope was not visible at the center of the web where it had been spotted previously.  A few tense moments were spent searching for the argiope.  The team did not know if the argiope had sensed the team's approach.  Could it be on top of the car waiting to pounce on the team?  Could it be under the car?  Perhaps it had already moved to another site.  Since argiope are well known to stay in one area for days or weeks, it was unlikely that the argiope had moved.  General knowledge of the argiope's mannerisms proved key to finding this particular argiope.  The argiope was found near the bottom of the web where the web was attached to the ground.  The argiope appeared to be making repairs to the web foundation.  The team paused briefly, assessing the situation.   The flashlight was shining on the argiope.  The argiope turned, perhaps sensing danger.  Slowly, the team crept closer to the web.  The argiope shook the web as if it was trying to warn the team not to come closer.  The team used the broom to sweep away the top of the web where it was attached to the car.  The argiope fell a short distance to the ground.  Temporarily stunned, the argiope did not move.  The team used the broom to gently brush the argiope toward the grass adjacent the car.  When the argiope was in the grass, it tried to crawl away.  The team blocked the escape route with the broom.  Hesitantly, the argiope crawled onto the broom.  The team used the broom to transport the argiope to the back yard near the fence.  The team put the broom on the ground and the ariope crawled onto the side of the house.  The argiope glanced briefly at the team as if to say, "WTF???"  before crawling away.  The team returned to home base, happy that the argiope was relocated without injury to either the argiope or the team members.  Mission accomplished.  The team is looking forward to its next adventure.

4 comments:

eleanor said...

Was the TEAM the Mr & Mrs of the house and car? Sounds like you had a brave project. luv ya

Roy and Debbie said...

no, the team was just me. Debbie doesn't like spiders enough to get that close.

Karen said...

After this very enjoyable read (I want to publish the book) I had to start from the first day and read it out loud to my sweetie - we defintely got a good chuckle! You would love the book by Berkley Breathed "The Last Basselope" -- it would be a fun read to the grandkids :).

Tara said...

Did the critter get the hint and build it's web elsewhere?

I can totally picture you passing gas and grinning at yourself. With no one else there. :)