![\"IMG_0354\"](\"https:\/\/dev-clm-blog.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/IMG_0354.jpg\")
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(The senescence of the deciduous trees on the eastern side of the Sierras, near Yosemite)<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, we went on a small day trip to a nearby town of Dayton, in order to collect seeds. We had found a nice patch of Gutierrezia sarothrae<\/em> (which we just call Gouda), in the foothills. I sat down to check out the seed viability to see if the Gouda was ready for collecting. Just as I was finishing, one of my coworkers casually said, \u201cThere is a tarantula right behind you.\u201d I have heard people prank others by saying \u201cWhat\u2019s that behind you,\u201d and so at first I thought he wasn\u2019t being serious. Of course, I still reacted to that comment and jumped immediately out of seat, making sure to shake the back of my shirt. Lo and behold, my coworker was in all seriousness; sitting not a foot away was a tarantula! It was both awesome and freaky-looking at the same time. About the size of my palm, this tarantula was hovering, motionless above a hole in the rock. I am unsure how I missed it before, unless I moved the rock somehow and it appeared to protect its home. I had never seen a tarantula in the wild, which was really cool, and now I can check that off my list. This tarantula was weird though, and it took us a few minutes to realize why. I guess some bird or small mammal nearby had a nice tasty snack at some point because this was a seven-legged tarantula!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n (Seven-legged tarantula facing down over the small rock hole)<\/p>\n Here is to another two weeks!<\/p>\n Ari<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There are two weeks left in the internship and things are winding down here in Carson City. The seasons are changing and the last few species are dropping their seed. Our work has turned from primarily fieldwork to primarily office … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n