The sunshine state has all sorts of critters, including the ubiquitous Banana Spider. They are generally found anywhere between 5 and 15 feet above the ground in heavily shaded areas, poised motionlessly on their web, their head pointed downwards waiting unsuspecting flying critters to bump into their 'net' - at which time they dart to their prey, inject them with venom (which also turns their innards into spider soup) and wrap them up; the soup making takes some time; this explains how come the prey is not eaten immediately after 'the kill'.

Many Floridians, and tourists, don't notice their presence until after they walk face-first into their webs; the resulting 'Get Me Outa Here Dance For Life' complete with flailing of arms and stomping feet is more often than not quite comical to see. Arachnophobia = Rocks!

This specimen was shot (SHQ - ISO 200) with on-board flash (-1 EV) on a dreary day with a gray sky as a backdrop. The photo-file has since been cropped, rotated 90-degrees and resized to its current 600 by 800. Enjoy.

Of the three photo-files I just posted of Banana Spiders, this approximates a true to life size image.

Bandera Espa?ola (Castilleja fissifolia) grow in Venezuelan high mountains (P?ramos).

Bangor Pier looking towards Anglesy. After the pier there is about a quarter of a mile of sea then the island of Anglesy looking so close!