Fragments From Floyd

So. I went back that afternoon to investigate this unexpected hatchery wrapped in the same web that usually snares and traps rather than protects. I was curious what kind of spider-mom might have put her nursery in such a conspicuous place. I was surprised to find a large female wolf spider guarding her brood. Or so I thought at first.

But I think I've misidentified my subject here, now that I stop and think: Wolf spiders are ground hunters and don't build webs, I thought. Wolf spiders are the ones you see first carrying their globular white egg sacs around on their backs among the garden duff; a week later, a hundred babies climb up on momma's back for a ride.

While this two-inch creature sure looks like a wolf spider, it must not be. Any arachnologists out there that can educate me?

There is one more character in this drama to introduce tomorrow; and later today, I'll go back and see if all the spiderlings have fledged and see if I can find any more clues about the mystery spider.