curing my arachnophobia

Whilst I’ve been a birdwatcher for many years, and also have quite a passion for reptiles, I’ve never really paid much attention to the smaller stuff – the insects and arachnids that many of those birds and reptiles eat.  But here at Sangha Lodge I’m learning how interesting this ‘small stuff’ can be.  Not because anyone has directed my attention towards it, but because interesting and/or beautiful insects and spiders are all around me.

On the spider front, it started with the spiny-backed orb weaver, seemingly guarding a nest, just above the passenger seat in the Lodge’s car.  Not large, not hairy, and not looking as though it were going to run at me.  So I admired it, from a fairly close distance, without feeling my hair standing on end.  Then I saw a much bigger member of the same family - large enough to be scary, but it wasn't moving, nor could it get onto my body, as it was sitting in the middle of its web, in a plant next to the path.  Again I admired it, and leaned in close enough to get a photo of it on my camera phone.  This kept progressing, until I saw the creature above on the wall of the bar the other evening.  It was as big as my hand - wider, in fact, than I could stretch my fingers - but my fascination overcame any lingering fear I might have, and I closed in to take a photo.  I even tried to touch its leg, but it moved out of way too quickly - and even that didn't make me jump out of the way.  So, as a lifetime arachnophobe, I think I might now be cured!

Now the ants I still try to keep my distance from, as some here give painful bites, but I still find the different species interesting - such as the tailor ants above, which sew together a 'nest' out of leaves.

There are some beautiful butterflies too, and amazing caterpillars, and all kinds of very colourful beetles / bugs / cicadas.  I like to know what I've seen, but with those guys I'm happy if I can find the family in one of the guide books here.  & last but not least - the chongololas!  Some kind of giant millipede, but we had them in Zambia when I was young and that was the local name, which has stuck with me - and fellow volunteers here from Kenya and Zimbabwe know what I mean when I use it.  The ones here are not as big as those I used to play with in Zambia, but they still feel wonderful walking across your skin so I can't help but pick them up and enjoy them for a while when I see them!