It seemed safe…
but was it? The nearby fires sent smoke spiraling into the air as we sat contemplating PapaDiddy’s gravestone down at TwoBit Hollar. It’s hard to find a hollar anywheres around here since there’s no mountains. But be that as it may, the graveyard was awash in swamp spiders. Aunt Belinda Louise Martha Sue ran for cover once them cocoons started popping open and them little spider babies started coming out and walking this earth.
You know, spiders, big nasty swamp spiders, are about the stupidest thing I ever made up. Or so I thought!! Check out the real swamp spiders (from Probert Encyclopedia, and I didn’t make that name up)
The Swamp Spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) is an impressive British spider growing to 25 mm long found in damp heathland and beside boggy pools in southern England. The Swamp Spider sits with its front legs touching the surface of the water and waits to detect the vibrations of insects trapped in the water’s surface film, whereupon the spider skates with ease to the insect and devours it. When alarmed the Swamp Spider can submerge in the pool.
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