Small animals without killer hikes

by 86dave

Sunday, 12 May 2013

Yesterday, I needed to cover a certain distance, and although I noticed a lot of small animals, I didn’t really seek out the ones that weren’t obvious. It was also difficult to photograph them because of the wind.

Today, I went to Arastradero open space at 7 AM, resolved to go infinitely slowly and watch for small animals. especially near the water. If I get in a mile or two of hiking, that’s fine, but that’s not the point.

Today’s supply of small animals started straightaway, down the crack in the bench where I paused to lace up my shoes.

And it only got better. A 7-legged harvestman was perched atop the fence, just waiting the chance to be immortalized by the photographer.

I really like these little guys, not least because they are everywhere but largely unknown.

The fat abdomen suggests a female crane fly.

What a beautiful face!

With faces like that, it’s probably not surprising that they mate facing opposite directions. Notice the slender waist of the male.

These last two pictures from a pair I found at home.

Everyone out looking for a little sex.

Or a little food. This is one well-fed spider! Look at that hollowed-out aphid!

It’s also an ordinary day, on which one of the chores is to manage the livestock.

And if you happen to be delicious, to avoid being too visible.

The early birds get the dew.

And the late sleepers ought to be embarrassed! Who ever heard of a bee sleeping, and upside down at that!

Whazzat?

As the morning warmed up, the small animals took shelter from the heat. By 10, I was ready to call it a day.

Mid-afternoon, I tried a run. I have had sore muscles for several weeks, and although I can hike and ride, the pain is exacerbated by running. But with effectively zero exercise the two previous weekends, I thought I’d give it a try.

About 4 miles to the nearby REI, running, feeling good, where I bought a new pair of hiking boots. The old ones are good friends, but they are coming apart at the seams.

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