Archive for the 'Arthropod' Category



29
Sep

Garden Spider - September 29 2007

Garden Spider, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

While I’m attending the Merry Lea conference on Sacred Soils, I take a walk and see this garden spider. I’m told that the white zip zag may be made to keep birds from flying into the web and destorying it. I don’t know what insect this one has found.

31
Aug

Insect digging a hole - August 31, 2007

Insect digging a hole - August 31, 2007, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

This little guy(or gal) is along Massasauga trail behind the Tamarack Lodge. It amazes me to see this creature digging, because it’s like using chopsticks instead of of shovel.

24
Aug

Crayfish in the parking lot - August 24 2007

crayfish in the parking lot, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

I’m riding on a golf cart when I spot this 2 inch long crayfish crawing in the sand in the main parking lot of camp. This is quite a surpise. I guess these creatures are able to get oxygen from the air? I thought they got it via gills? I’ll have to check this out.

28
Jul

These spiders are all over the woods - July 28 2007

IMG_1179, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

Every year at this time these Spined Micrathena spiders (Micrathena gracilis) start making their webs. I love their abdomins.  They look like they’re made of porcelain.

IMG_1177

Their webs are in the shape of  a CD, with a hole in the middle that they can get through to the other side.  Three anchor threads are use to secure the web.

IMG_1202

20
Jun

Harvestmen Eating Black Raspberries - June 20 2007

Harvestmen Eating Black Raspberries - June 20 2007, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

As I’m walking by the camp’s nature center I spy this harvestmen(daddy long legs) eating a black raspberry.

09
Jun

Spider with Eggs - June 9 2007

This spider is on the inside of my garage door.  I don’t know what it’s doing to her eggs?

IMG_0166, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

09
May

Snail on Stick - May 9 2007

Snail on Stick #1, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

As I’m walking down the trail this small snail catches my eye. It seems like such a burden to carry around such a large shell. It looks like it’s going to topple over.

06
May

Decomposer Trio - Millipede Snail and Worm on Turtle Hill - May 6 2007

Decomposer Trio - Millipede Snail and Worm on Turtle Hill, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

This trio of decomposers is under sheet of shed bark from an elm tree on turtle hill. This is one of the largest millepedes that I’ve ever seen.

30
Apr

Spider with Egg Sack - April 28, 2007

Spider with Egg Sack #2

Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

This spider is carring what I assume is an egg sack? The egg sack sways back and forth and the spider moves.

15
Dec

Millipede in the basement of Nature Center - Nov 1 2006


Nov_Dec_2006 093
Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

Heading out of my office I look down and see this millipede crawling along the floor of the Nature Center. It’s facinating how these creatures move.