I sometimes wonder if we see what we look for. I realize that statement needs a lot of clarification. What I’m thinking about is my most recent walk at Pope Lick Park. I don’t take the same trails each day. I’m not in the same mood each day, although my mood always improves during my walks.
Today Floyd’s Fork was high and muddy and I enjoyed it in the morning mist. Even though it was quite early, I was not alone. Bikers, walkers, runners and even one person on inline skates were out there with me. I add this for one of my readers who worries about my safety. I am one of many enjoying the Parklands and being truly alone is rare.
Usually when I am in nature I think of little else. Today was no exception, however there were no deer, squirrels or even birds to hold my attention. One of the first things I noticed was my least favorite living creature. You guessed it, spiders or at least their homes. https://crookedcreek.live/2016/09/21/one-fear-explained/ Right away I noticed a dew covered web on the ground that reminded me of “angel hair” we used to decorate trees with at Christmas when I was a kid. The matted looking web had a hole that lead to a tunnel. The photos are not as clear as I’d like, but perhaps you can see what I’m talking about. As I walked there were many more such structures mingled in the grass. I cannot help but wonder what other sights I might have missed because I was looking for these spider homes.
With the editing feature on my camera, I was able to crop one photo with the resident builder at home. I assure you that I did not get that close! I hope you can see him here.
It was a day for spider exploration, but a good day for a walk nevertheless. They were minding their own business and I was very careful to avoid interrupting their day.
One more photo, but from a different type home above in the trees.
The next time you see a spider web, please, pause and look a little closer. You’ll be seeing one of the most high-performance materials known to man. Cheryl Hayashi
Crooked Creek by Sue Mattingly 
Thanks for sharing your walks with us. I have also thought about your safety. I am glad there are usually other people around. Do you drive to a trailhead or is there one near your home? That park system is the greatest. We hope to do sections of it at a time this summer.
The spider pictures are great. Like you said, except for the dew you might have walked on by and that spider might have jumped out and bitten you—just teasing.
I love it when we discover those little sights that are temporary– like mushrooms and spider webs(not necessarily temporary but our vision of them sometimes are) in the grass and trees.
I hope your walk settled your body and soul so that you may have a good day.
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Pope Lick is about 3 miles from my home. There are nice parking lots at each of the parks. A few trails are a little isolated, but I have never been the least bit concerned (except one day when I was lost for a bit after the trail ran out!)
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Sue,
You are at once a web browser and a web master. You are not caught between arach and a hard place. I LOVE the way you see things and share with us. Your account as well as your photography are outstanding. Thank you.
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Arach, good one!
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Speaking of spider webs and nature’s wonder, did you know that hummingbirds harvest spider silk to use in their nests? They do. They weave it into the materials they use to build the nest and the silk serves three purposes. It holds the nest material together, it helps hold the nest to the tree and most amazingly, it allows the nest to expand as the babies grow. Thanks spiders! Now how do hummingbirds know to do that? Just another wonder of nature!
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WOW! Very interesting! I had no idea. Thanks.
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Great pictures. Love to share your walks. Thanks.
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