Well, Carlotta was (yes, was) female. She placed her egg sac on the cactus pad and, after attaching it with the fine filaments of her silk, she left. We haven’t found her body and we haven’t found her. Further reading indicates that her life’s work is done after reproduction, and that her time here has ended. I’m sad, though it’s nature’s way and everything has its season. Now we await spring and the hatching of Carlotta’s progeny.
On a happy note, Facundo Chulo is back. He’s moving through the garden at this very moment feeding upon the insect visitors. I tottered through the corn, beans, and squash, and over tomatillos to take photos of his princely self.
He makes me smile, not the least because Leonel was contentedly gathering tomatillos when Facundo Chulo leaped through the plants and made Leonel jump, too. Leonel smiles when he talks to our resident bullfrog as he works in the garden.
Take time to appreciate the small “stuff”—birds, butterflies, bullfrogs. You’ll be glad you did.
Love this picture!