Strange Bedfellows

Apparently some new tenants have made themselves at home in the azalea bushes of our front yard.  When I walked past it this morning, the sound of the crunching leaves beneath my feet disrupted the tranquil repose of no less than a dozen (otherwise perfectly camouflaged) buttery yellow butterflies.  They all sprung up into the air at once and caught me by surprise. It was a bit a sight to see, this bevy of butterflies capering about in the air before me.  I felt like I should find a meadow to start dancing through...

Clouded Yellow Butterfly

And then I noticed her. 

She's back...just as she is every October. With her intimidating wide-legged stance, and impressive zippered web.  And don't be mistaken by the camera's inability to convey scale.  She's huge.

Argiope Spider

It's a pretty spectacular sight. And not one for the faint of heart, let me tell ya. But, I myself am a fan of the arachnid species.  I actually love them because they eat cockroaches, etc, etc. This beautiful monstrosity is about 2.5" long from toe to toe. 

In any case, the butterflies are happily cavorting about out there.  Seemingly unconcerned with the possibility of meeting an untimely demise at the hands of one enormous spider on a web that spans the length of the azalea bush they're prancing through.

 

 Don't you just love nature?

(you can click on the pictures to make them bigger)