Thanks Peter !

Oh, I know your pain!! This is nice but I can see what you were after. It's bloody hot here in southern Oregon and I *MUST* take pictures before 10am or it's 90+ and impossible to deal with! It's horrible to try to take pictures in oppressive heat, it wrecks our concentration badly.

OMG I loved your response to Portia's name! I am still cackling over your choice, it's awesome! And also, your comment about her possible size of a 5" span--we'll see about that, but she may get quite huge! I know what you mean about backing away. Let me tell you a delightful story. When I was about 12 yrs old, I was running around in a field one sunny summer day and as I ran along, I saw something black and patterned and HUGE RIGHT in front of me JUST before I ran RIGHT into it. As I careened right through a black and yellow orbweaver's web, lots of things happened all at once:
1) I was shocked at the incredible STRENGTH of that web--my 12 yr old body literally had to PUSH against it to get through
2) I was suddenly COVERED from head to toe, including my face, in masses of strong, sticky webs
3) I had no idea where that spider was but I remember pressing up against it and feeling it wriggle away down my body
4) I suddenly learned to fly and leap and levitate as the horror of what was happening sunk in
5) I began shrieking and screaming for the next 5 minutes as I ran around in circles, leaping up and down and frantically brushed at the webs, which only stuck to my hands and flapped in in the air while adhering to my fingers

I never did see that spider again after we were so rudely introduced, but I spent a good 20 minutes pulling webs out of my hair, from my face and my clothes and from my fingers, and could not stop shaking and emitting after-shock shrieks from this event.

I would definitely say that this is the most terrifying spider encounter I've ever had. You would THINK I'd be totally freaked out at having another one of these JUST OUTSIDE our house! But I have learned so much about spiders since then and my arachnophobia I once had has disappeared completely. Would I touch one? NO WAY!! Hold one? WTF NO WAY!!! But appreciate, admire, respect and adore? YOU BETCHA!! :D I will fall in love with this darling spider, as I have with Roscoe! I feel so lucky to get this chance to study such a cool spider with such ease and convenience! And just think--you won't have to get close to her, and I'll take lots of pictures to enjoy! :D Hooray! :D

P.S. I think you're awesome, just in case you haven't heard this from anyone yet today! :D

Janet ...........I would have DIED !!!!!!!!!!!

I finally had to get a grip on my own fears when as i have spent alot of my life alone.. and no one else gets the spider OFF the ceiling then !! The first time I saw a yellow and black "garden spider" here..I was ....terrified!! But.. I when and looked it up... and actually like you ... came to a deal with it. Last year I even carried her egg pods to safety after she died in the blistering heat.. Like you.. would I touch one.. NO... the black Widows have to go there were way too many last year... same for the Copperheads... mean snakes... the others... I can deal with. I have learned to poke around outside with gloves on... Recluse also abound here.... NOT friendly.

As a postscript.. my abiding memory of the beautiful Talimena Scenic drive... a #$%^&* Tarantula crossing the road in front of us !!! Madness...

You inspire me...maybe its good you live so far away... I think we could wonderfully terrorise the populus if closer !!!!

Just a note... spider silk is being used to "stick wounds" where its important to reduce scarring... specially with children. Tensile strength wise.. its stronger than steel....

and B.J... Thankyou !

It is frustrating when they move just as you take the shot! It's still a lovely capture though!

Thankyou Eunice !