Spider Haven

[CoolhandJo]

My astrophotography at my DIY observatory has now ben put on hold indefinately due to a funnel web spider encounter!

Went to image the Swan Nebula last night and opened the observatory door - went to move a box and there it was! a male funnel web waiting for me!

I think its time to do a ground based inspection, clear away loose leaves, spray outdoor spider repellant before I attempt a life thratening imaging session!

It must be that time of year for funnel web mating!

[Ric]

Hi Paul

you'll probably find the run of wet weather you had up there has flushed them out of their usual hiding spots as well.

Take care.

[CoolhandJo]

Yeah Ric. Possibly. I wonder if anyone else has noticed an increase in spider activity or had an encounter with a spider in thir obs?

[dynobolt]

I got down to the ob a bit late, but fortunately had a torch with me to help see the locks:eyepop:.

Then I thought, why not train him up to look after the security of the ob:lol:

[M54]

I'd rather have clouds than funnelwebs! :help:Melbourne is not so bad after all.:P

Huntsman spiders are ok, at least they won't kill you.

[ZeroID]

Geez !!
You guys have got some nasty bits of wildlife over there.
Other than the fright of walking through a spider web < Gah !! > we're pretty good on this side of the ditch.

[CoolhandJo]

yeah, I think its time to go fully automatic! I have been thinking about it for a while but this Funnel Web has convinced me of it! Ummmm... Auto star align (need widefiled camera mounted), Auto focus (need motirised focus unit), cable management (wireless?), the list goes on!!

[Ric]

If your feeling a bit left out Brent I'm sure we can organise a box of goodies and post it over to you. :D

[ZeroID]

I think our Ag & Fish boys at Customs might have something to say about that !!
We got your danged wallabies and possums over here, that's enough pests from across the ditch .... :lol: :D

Our wetas can be huge critters but harmless, still give you a nasty fright when they appear unexpectedly. Katipo spiders can be dangerous but are very small and rare but your Red Back has already made an appearance in the last 10 years or so. Hitched a ride in some container somewhere.

[FJA]

I don't have a phobia of spiders, but I'm not keen on them either. I was in northern Queensland a couple of years ago and woke up early one morning to find a huge (about 7 inches across, including legs) black spider on the ceiling above the bed. I had to get a saucepan, prod the spider into it with a magazine and take it outside. There's no way I could have gone back to sleep with that thing there. :eyepop:

We have some pretty large spiders here in the UK, the biggest of which can get to 5 inches across (including the legs). This is probably small fry to Aussies, but plenty big enough for me! :lol:

[Exfso]

When I was living in Katherine (NT), many moons ago, I was raking up a pile of leaves and they began to move. I encountered the largest spider I have ever seen, it was as big as a large crab. I was informed that it was a bird eating spider. I reckon the body itself was at least 4-5" across, and when you add in the legs, it was monstrous. Now I am an aracnophobe from way back, so I just about levitated a good 20 metres to get away from it. Never want that experience again, reckon if it had happened now, I would have had a definite coronary.

[Poita]

I've been bitten by a funnel web before - I don't recommend it!

[Poita]

Maybe the Funnelwebs could eat the possums?

[CoolhandJo]

Peter! Did you go down and need emergency treatment? :sadeyes:

[Hagar]

I can see the Katipo spider is a very nasty customer indeed.
http://m.digitaljournal.com/article/292056

Sounds very nasty.

[allan gould]

I guess no-one was game to suck out the poison :D

[bmitchell82]

When i was living in Darwin as a young fella I had a pet huntsman that would have been the size of a saucer I called him Big Jim, we had an agreement, he could wrestle all the cockaroaches he wanted as long as he stayed in the Hall/bathroom. To which he did but one night, while going to the loo no lights which is normal, had to turn the light on to do something.... there he was sitting about head hight to where i was sitting on the throne! :P yeah i was like yep Jim thats close enough mate. hahaha

Ahhh so many nasties its always good for keeping you on your toes

[GeoffW1]

:eyepop: Moderators - where are you ? Censor this bloke

:rofl::rofl::rofl: