Oh No, there is a spider in my pants!!

[woodjin]

Got out in the woods for a bit today. Here is an old bog I fish. this time I visited it from the oppisite end of my usual approach. It is tucked away pretty good and most people pass it by without ever knowning it is there.

No deep holes on this side and I walked to the middle of bog and took this shot

Mostly shallow clear water, filled with sunfish and a painted turtle i caught.

From there I headed to a cedar swamp to investigate a pond within it. On the way I saw this reed filled "dry bog"

Not up on my reeds. what type are these, they were present within the cedar swamp as well. Here is a close up

In the failing light the cedar swamp was dark and quiet. This stump hints at a very large cedar from long ago

the pond. most likely the result of human disturbance from many years past near by. It was a lonely spot I'll tell you.

When I got back to the truck I could feel something moving in my pants, and I was pretty sure it wasn't me. I had gapping holes in both knees and I figure the broken threads were tickling my leg a bit, then it started running around. Well I eventually got it out the same hole it came in. A big white ugly spider. I should probably sew up those holes. I have some motivation now.

Jeff

 

[bobpbx]

Another sunny day....where you just cannot stay indoors, right?

That is a sedge you are seeing Jeff. It is Scirpus cyperinus. The local name is.......uh.....umm.....it will come to me yet.

Oh, yeah....Wool Grass. But it is not a member of the grass family, so the name is a misnomer.

 

[manumuskin]

Bob,
I was going to say that was Bulrush....I however bow to the master.The scratch proof coating on my glasses is coming off and i severely need a new pair
Al

 

[dogg57]

It is a member of the Sedge family (Cyperaceae), like other Scirpus spp. To make matters even more confusing, these species are collectively referred to as 'Bulrushes,' even though they are not members of the Rush family (Juncaceae). Notwithstanding such problems with nomenclature, Wool Grass is one of the more attractive bulrushes, particularly during the early fall when its spikelets become woolly reddish brown. It can be distinguished from similar species by considering the following features: 1) Wool Grass has leafy culms, as opposed to leafless culms, 2) its spikelets are reddish brown and exceptionally woolly at maturity, 3) its inflorescence is a drooping compound umbel at the apex of the culm, and 4) it has small clusters of 3-12 sessile or nearly sessile spikelets on the terminal branchlets of each umbel, as opposed to individual spikelets. Some local populations of Wool Grass have atypical spikelets that are a darker shade of brown or more cylindrical in shape than what is typically encountered. Such variations may be the result of hybridization between similar species. Your good Bob Info came from.............

http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/grasses/plants/wool_grass.htm

 

[gipsie]

When I got back to the truck I could feel something moving in my pants, and I was pretty sure it wasn't me.

:rofl:

 

[piker56]

Jeff,
Being extremely allergic to certain spiders, a spider in my pants would have freaked me out! The first two pictures, though, had me looking longingly at my fishing tackle wishing I was off work.
Greg

 

[glowordz]

What lovely bogs and lilies, sedges and swamps! The last shot is my favorite-- beautifully mysterious.

Glo

 

[woodjin]

Thanks for the ID on the sedge Bob!

 

[woodjin]

Jeff,
The first two pictures, though, had me looking longingly at my fishing tackle wishing I was off work.
Greg

Ahhhh, good. That was the reaction I was going for!

 

[woodjin]

What lovely bogs and lilies, sedges and swamps! The last shot is my favorite-- beautifully mysterious.

Glo

Thanks Glo. That last shot...in the failing light I agree with you, "beautifully mysterious. A 1/2 hour later and it would have just been downright creepy.

Jeff