memorablemeanders.blogspot.com

Saturday, March 7, 2020

My turn!

Hello dear Blogger friends; it's been two weeks since I posted about Skabby being sick - as a dog! My canine baby of 60kg is better and more boisterous and loving than ever. 

Last week, Friday, I became sick. So it was my turn. And no, not with Corona Virus although it has arrived in South Africa. I had a very bad dose of flu- for me - for the first time in 30 years . And I stayed in bed to heal myself. 

My neighbor, Ron kept a vigilant eye on me and brought me effervescent meds to boost the vitamins and clear my head. 


I've been out today volunteering at Parkrun. On the way there this morning, I was stopped by early morning traffic. 


On the way home along the farm road, I stopped to capture this lovely scene ...
A new born calf with its mama

And now for some real critters. Last week I heard the Double-Collared Sunbird making alarm calls in the garden. I went out and sure enough, there it was warning all and sundry that there was a cat in the vicinity. 

 (Note: this is a silhouette of the brightly-colored Southern Double-Collared Sunbird due to photographing it in bright sunlight) 
 Missy,  the stalker! 
Innocence? 

While writing this post, I heard a sunbird calling again. Missy was sitting quietly on the veranda next to me, so I couldn't blame her. I picked up my camera and snapped at the female Southern Double-Collared Sunbird, seconds before it flew off into the higher trees beyond my garden. 
Southern Double-Collared Sunbird, female

Earlier today,  I walked inside and saw Miss Missy gazing at something on the wall...


...a rain spider up near the ceiling in the kitchen.

Missy never misses a critter! 

Recently I walked from my friend's house to the gate. She accompanied me. As we reached my car parked in the shade outside her garden, she screamed: LOOK AT THAT SPIDER! She had bent down to remove her shoe and was about to make short work of the poor critter. I put my hand out to stop her and had a closer look: there it was,  a beautiful garden orb-web spider basking on the warmth of my car's mudguard. 

I reached for my Smartphone and zooming in (while she squealed, be careful, it will BITE you!) I took two photos. Using an invoice which I had in my bag, I managed to coax the spider onto this and quickly put it on a bush. 

I told my friend, I never kill spiders to which she replied, I kill ALL spiders ! 

Back home I checked in my Field Guide for Spiders and Scorpions in South Africa and confirmed that it was a garden spider. I sent photos of the spider and that in my field guide to my friend. I told her it was harmless to man. I also told her that there are very few spiders in South Africa which are harmful to us humans. She replied that when we next meet, I must show her the dangerous ones. She said she would like to stop killing these creatures indiscriminately!  (the photo below is a bit noisy because of my car's shiny surface, but shows the beautiful harmless garden spider) 
Isn't she lovely? 

I felt as if   hoped by this little lesson imparted,  I'd saved a few future spiders in South Africa! 

I'm linking to Saturday Critters with Eileen here

HAPPY SATURDAY TO YOU ALL! 

11 comments:

  1. Hello, I am so glad you and Skabby are doing much better. Cute photo of the mama cow with her calf. The Sunbird has a cool looking bill, like a hummingbird. Missy is a cute kitty. You are a kind nature lover to care for the spiders. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend. PS, thank you always for your visits and comments on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello. The spider is interesting looking critter.
    Get well soon!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Glad to hear you are both feeling better. Spiders are gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am a spider killer as is my hubby, if the spider is tiny I do it, if it is big like both of these, he does it because I refuse to get close enough to kill it. I don't kill anything else except roaches if they get in the house. but spiders are my most feared of creatures. I do love cows and wish our traffic was those and not old people driving cars. ha ha make that OTHER old people

    ReplyDelete
  5. so caught up in spider I forgot to say how happy I am you and Skabby are recovered and doing well.. flu is so awful... Missy has really grown up so much

    ReplyDelete
  6. A lovely selection of critters. Thank you.
    I escort spiders to safe places too.
    I am glad that Skabby is better and hope that you are too. The snot fest is mostly gone here but I am still coughing. And coughing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. So glad to hear you are better and out and about and that Skabby is better also ~ Great photos ~ all of them ~ love the baby calf and mama and the 'traffic photo' ~ and what a sweet, sweet kitty! Stay well.

    Happy Moments to You,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Not sure I want to meet those spiders that is of sure. As for the virus I do npt know what people are so worried about the flue is more likely to kill you

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Jo, glad Shabby and you are doing better. Missy is looking good, I remember her when she came around your place of work. I don't like spiders either but sometimes tolerate them. Hope your days are filled with happiness and fun.
    Have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Glad to hear Skabby is better and that you are feeling better too.
    I'm not a fan of spiders so I'm glad they are there and not here. Of course I have plenty of my own spiders living in and around my house so I don't want any more

    ReplyDelete
  11. Missy is a welcome sight to see.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate your feedback. Jo