Observations by aeris

This large, rather protective spider was found directly underneath a lamp outside my front door. She was found with this massive insect caught in her web, and I felt it would be inappropriate to capture her. The temperature was approximately 12 degrees Celsius at observation.

The body length was approximately 1.7cm, and the width was approximately 0.9cm. The legs were striped and thorned, which are signs of a cross orbweaver. Her dorsal side also shows the signature mottled pattern with the white cross. I believe the specimen to be female because of the large size, circular abdomen, and relative lack of color. Further, I believe she's getting ready to lay her eggs, as she has been gorging herself over the past few days.

This large slug (pacific banana slugs are the second largest terrestrial slugs in the world) was found on the forest floor. I did not feel the need to capture it. The temperature was approximately 13 degrees Celsius at observation.

The body length was approximately 5.8cm, and a width of approximately 2cm. This slug was found only because it was resting on a brightly colored leaf. Otherwise, I'm sure I would have glossed over it, as it was extremely well camouflaged. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a picture before it retracted its sensory organs. The body did seem to shorten slightly after I disturbed it.

This snail was found already retracted into its shell on the forest floor. Was picked up to measure, then released. The temperature was approximately 13 degrees Celsius at observation.

The shell had a diameter of approximately 1.3cm, and the body length remains unknown. The shell was a pale yellowy caramel color, with a very clear spiral. The snail was observable within the shell at the opening. I was unable to find it again after I took the measurements, so unfortunately I was unable to record more observations.

This snail was found on a moss covered rock in a wooded area. When I attempted to measure it, it promptly retreated into its shell. However, after giving it some time, we were able to coax it out. The temperature was approximately 13 degrees Celsius at observation.

The shell diameter was approximately 1.8cm, and the body length was roughly 3.9cm. The shell was a dark brown, covered in extremely tiny spines. Interestingly, he righted his shell (5th-6th photo) in one fluid motion, after extending its body.

This large, rather unhappy spider was found on the underside of the roof of a house in a wooded area. I decided not to capture them, as they already seemed irate. The temperature was approximately 13 degrees Celsius.

The body length was approximately 1.6cm, and the width was approximately 0.8cm. The legs were striped and covered with thorn-esque hairs. The colors were more muted, the thorax more round and bulbous, and the size seemed larger than the male orbweaver I observed. This leads me to believe this spider was female. The abdomen also had the signature mottled pattern of orbweavers.

This rather sluggish true bug was caught resting on the side of a house in a wooded area. He was captured with almost no resistance, seeming perfectly calm for the entire duration through to release. The temperature was approximately 13 degrees Celsius at observation.

The body length was approximately 1.2cm, and the width was approximately 0.6cm in width. The striped borders along the side are hallmarks of brown stinkbugs. The dorsal coloration made it very difficult to see, and acted as perfect camouflage against the wood of the house. When accidentally flipped over, it immediately smacked the ground with its hind legs repeatedly, eventually flipping it upright. I was surprised by the sluggish and oddly calm demeanor of the insect. Though these insects are invasive, I couldn't bring myself to kill it.

This very colorful spider was found on a large, well developed web in a wooded area. I decided not to capture it, as I didn't want to ruin the web. The temperature was approximately 13 degrees Celsius at observation.

The body length was approximately 2.5cm, and the abdomen width was approximately 0.75cm. The legs were beautifully striped, and covered in thorn-esque hairs (A common trait in orbweavers). I believe the spider to be male, becuse of the narrow abdomen and colorful cephalothorax. The abdomen also had the signature mottled pattern of cross orbweavers.

Caught after it flew from a nearby maple onto the ground. Was caught in a clear tube, appeared relatively inactive.

The body length was approximately 13mm, and a hind leg length of approximately 11mm. The distinctive dorsal pattern of symmetrical, thin, pale stripes on a black background along its' wings. Its' underside was also a shade of dark red, another trademark of the species. The temperature was approximately 10.6 degrees Celsius when caught.