Oh, my!

I head out to our trails after work each day.
Their winding takes me past woods, field and water—an escape into what often is peace and solitude.

But, in the thickness of summer, a lively hunting ground.
Where predators lurk as I pass.
And I’m thankful for my tall stature.


The gum grove holds a special treasure.
Here, in its star-shaped leaves, I found a wheel bug last year--his slow-moving steel gray form almost mechanical, as he stalked beetles.


This year, there will be many more.
From between the bright leaves, they watch me.


Late instars of the next generation. Peering down long faces with the same piercing, sucking mouthparts.
Stepping slowly forward on long, bent legs.
To see who walks beneath the gum tree.


In the field, a large jumping spider has caught a distracted cicada. Dropping from the small branch on his silk tether, to hide with his find in the tall grass.


Hoping I will not see where he has gone.
With eight shiny black eyes he watches.
Furry palps holding his very large dinner.

And at the pond’s edge, the most graceful amberwing,
another ferocious hunter, rests.


Before taking to the skies on wings of glass.

Thanks to Wigger's World for hosting Skywatch Friday each week at his site!