handheld stacks processed with https://focusstackingonline.com , retouched in PS express
Haven't seen a spider quite like this fella. When he thought the camera got too close, he started doing a wild, agitated dance (last photo). He was fairly small, perhaps the size of a sowbug killer, but less compact.
Mating pair
This was an interesting sighting over an extended period of time. This orbweaver had constructed her web just above head-height on my front walkway, so I was able to watch her at my leisure for several days. During part of this time, she was being courted - very carefully - by a male hoping to mate with her (and get away with his life, I'm guessing). Mostly, he stayed near the edges of the webs, tentatively tapping on threads. then he would move slowly toward her, testing the thread along the way, clearly ready to retreat if she became aggressive. It was super cool to watch. I wasn't able to watch long enough to see the outcome, but hopefully things worked out.
Trapdoor spider burrow in a San Gabriel Chestnut shell.
Is the small spider the same species?
Devoured entire Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) in 7 minutes, 10 seconds.
On photos 10 & 11 you can see Family Milichiidae (Freeloader Flies) trying to join in the feast.
Spiderlings attempting to leave natal burrow (assumed) but rain showers kept them from venturing very far!
2 males in female web, rocky desert canyon
Spotted Orbweaver spider courtship, RIP little feller
Found under rock and collected, about 5 mm, also posted to BG.
Z-stacked specimen images taken by me but copyright California Academy of Sciences.
D. calcarata?
palm litter edges, palm oasis with surface water
Cutest EVER. In an acorn... Montebello Road, between Page Mill and Black Mountain summit.
Male/male fight: 2 well matched males battle for more than 15 minutes. I did not stay to see the end of their competition, or if either got injured. They circled each other and moved in side by side. One would bite the other's leg, or tail and the bitten lizard would spin to try to dislodge the biter. Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjeVkN5rfgo
Fawn hopping along!
Male
on Calochortus
Angriff einer Florfliegenlarrve wohl Chrysoperla carnea auf die Eier von Elasmucha grisea
Attack of lacewing larvae, probably Chrysoperla carnea, on the eggs of Elasmucha grisea
Found this tiny dead scorpion on the bristles of an unused toothbrush in my hall closet. Not sure how it got in or what kind of scorpion.
This strange little caterpillar was burrowed into a green bean.
In Eschscholzia californica <3 Wilson Canyon. Off trail and park entrance done with permit
This observation is for the spider in the black phoebe's bill; observation is the same photos and is paired with https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37970296. Watched this black phoebe fly up under a ledge, grab this spider, then bash it on the curb for a few minutes.
spiderlings from eggsac found in sand
Honey Bee in https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/35861452
on mesquite litter; black "morph", showing signs of introgression with H clypeatus.
He really liked my little camera
Found in my pyrocanthus looking like a berry. 1/2 to 3/4 inch
Are those the spider's eggs on the cactus spine?
This Coyote was first seen hunkered down in the grass. A few seconds later he sprung on something that was quickly swallowed. I wasn't able to see what it caught.
This pair of mating long-jawed orbweavers were found in the shrubbery along Watsonville Slough.
The female is on the left and the male (smaller and on the right)is reaching towards her epigynum with his palp.
I never could find what he was displaying to
Minettia magna. Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC, USA.
Male beat from pine tree, caught displaying to female on beat sheet with both first legs raised. Also posted to BG here:
https://bugguide.net/node/view/1523782/bgimage