This “art show” caught our attention after a light morning rain.

It’s the first “Joro” spider we’ve seen here in NC, though we’ve seen larger ones in SC, GA and VA.

A helpful comment from a biologist in an excellent Scientific American article:

“If it does take up residence in your backyard, it will be there for three or four months in the same place,” he says. “You can almost get to know that spider. Give it a name. Show your kids that spider. Show them what spiders do.… This almost gives you an unprecedented educational opportunity.”

Since we live on traditional Cherokee land, I’m reminded of Grandmother Spider who first brought fire to the nation.