Warning: If you are afflicted with arachnaphobia, as I am, you will not appreciate my posting the next photograph. "But wait", you are thinking, "how does a person consumed with fear in the presence of a spider maintain the composure required to focus on one?" A valid question and one that renders me equally curious for the answer since it amazes me that I am able to do it.

I credit my increasing tolerance for the eight legged community to my son who is enthralled by insects of any denomination and not only enjoys watching them, but spends his energy protecting them. This means that the barbaric act of reducing a spider to two dimensions is out of the question. Now when I encounter an invader, I've learned to stand back as my philanthropic son captures it and releases it into greener pastures. I also learned to allow these creatures to spin webs (outdoors of course) and even to watch them on occasion - they really are magnficent creatures.

These days, I approach it as a challenge to see if I can photograph one and consider it a personal accomplishment if I am successful. Besides, I know that if I present an image such as the one below, I am a cool Mom. So you see... incredible feats become more credible once you understand what drives them!

© Christine Mastroianni, all rights reserved

By the way, this was an assembly temporarily collected in my son's bug container. The spider had quickly made a web, and was brave enough to check out his rather large roommate when I grabbed my camera. Rest assured that no creatures were harmed in the making of this photograph - including the spider! They were all released into a conservation area and left to fend for themselves.. as nature intended.