Spinybacked Orbweaver Gasteracantha cancriformis

The bug that started it all. Here's how it went down:

I stumbled out on the deck on fine morning and espied this, the craziest looking spider ever, orbweaving the heck out of the best spot under the umbrella. The discovery was strangely invigorating. Not stopping to consider the ramifications of such rash acts, I immediately a) ordered a field guide to Texas spiders, b) ran out and bought a digital SLR camera and a 37-pound macro lens. I couldn't wait to photograph this bug to show my chums back in St. Louis. Of course it turned out, to my great astonishment, that none of my friends, in St. Louis or anywhere else, gives a crap about spiders. This is when the true extent, the full, unabridged scope of my geek began to dawn on me. Will I turn up at the next affair in a Starfleet uniform? Will I name my next cat Schrodinger? The blood runs cold.

Assorted spinybacked orbweavers photographed summer 2004, all within 4 feet of the Twisty Entomology Office. Bottom right: blow fly, moth become orbweaver dinner.