All Creatures Great and Small

I am not a spider person.  If there was some sort of plague that destroyed all the world's spiders, I'd count that as a good thing.  In fact, if something wiped out all the creepy crawlies, bugs and insects from this planet, that would be just fine and dandy.  However, I know there are animals that count on the bugs to survive, and plants also need certain bugs to pollinate and grow.  So it's a good thing God hasn't put me in charge of the earth's insect population, or we'd all be in a heap of trouble.

However, I have recently come to the conclusion that if the spider is outside and not in my direct path - for example, sunning itself on a flower, making a web in the bushes, or climbing a tree - I don't mind it.  I've actually begun to enjoy watching them - from a distance.  However - and this is an important issue that all spiders must understand - if any spider crosses the threshold and enters my home, he is as good as dead.  The critter will either find itself in a watery grave, or on the bottom of my shoe.  Or better yet, on the bottom of my husband's shoe.  That way I don't have to worry about my shoe getting all icky on the bottom.  That, and his shoes are bigger, so it just makes sense that I'd use his in exterminating said spider.

 But back to a more friendly note (after all, these are God's creatures, so I should respect them as such), I have begun to make friends with a little spider in our back yard.  My husband first noticed the little guy at the end of March.  He was hiding in the grill cover.  My husband looked this little guy up online and found it's called a crab spider.  They eat other insects, so this little fact helped me decide to tolerate the little guy.  He was a bit creepy looking, so as long as he kept his distance from me, he could stay.  :)


Now let's fast forward to a couple days ago.  Butternut had been playing outside for a while when she excitedly came in and said she'd found a big spider on the flowers.  I decided to go investigate, and sure enough, it was our little friend.  Only now he's not so little!

Isn't he pretty?  I see how they get their name of crab spider.  He was a little upset with my husband right then.  I don't think he wanted his picture taken.  Come on now, little guy, don't be shy!  :)

My husband went back out later to take some more pictures, and when we loaded them up on the computer we had a bit of a surprise.  Our little friend was enjoying an afternoon snack.  I guess they really do eat other insects!  In this picture he is feasting on a small bee.  So now it's official.  As long as he stays in the flowers, the little guy can stay.  Who'd have ever thought I'd be interested in something creepy crawly like a spider?  I went outside to check on him this morning, and he's still in the flowers.  I guess that's his new home.  He sits on the flower and waits for an unsuspecting bee to come along, then whamo!  He's got lunch!  I'd like to see him actually stun the bee, but I don't know if he'll do it in front of an audience.  I guess I'll just have to keep my eye out.  And please, pretty little spider, stay outside so I don't have to put an end to our beautiful friendship.