Saturday, 11 February 2012

Not for arachnophobes!

Image courtesy National Geographic

I've just come across this and thought it absolutely fascinating.

One of the astonishing side effects of the 2010 flooding in Pakistan was that in some areas millions of spiders climbed into the trees to escape the rising flood waters. Because the waters took so long to recede the trees became cocooned in spider webs, a phenomenon that had not been seen before in this area.

The scene is quite surreal and strangely beautiful. 

19 comments:

Dianne said...

oh my it's beautiful
strange the lovely things that come out of destruction
nature is so complex

I adore spiders

Belle said...

It is wonderful how nature adapts to change. Spiders are smarter than I thought!

Denise said...

It is beautiful and fascinating. Love learning about things like this, thank you Janice.

Elisabeth said...

I've seen this before, Janice. It's amazing. Thanks for the reminder. I wonder where the spiders are now.

ChrisJ said...

Well I don't like spiders, but I must say that is fascinating! I'd really like to see them 'for real' and close up -- not too close, mind you, but I don't mind looking at spiders as long as they don't get on me.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Janice .. creatures are amazing aren't they .. the Bird Cherry Ermine moth - the larvae can do the same ... if the conditions are right (or wrong!) .. I wrote a post about it - and it was mentioned in incredible creatures earlier this year .. I didn't mention them, as I'd posted already.

Animals are quite extraordinary - but so fascinating to see - thanks for sharing with us ..

Have a good Sunday .. Hilary

Talli Roland said...

Wow! That's a tree? I was looking at it and trying to figure it out. Fascinating.

Carolina said...

Stunning! I'd love to have taken that photo. On the other hand... come to think of it... too many spiders!

We have a couple of shrubs in the garden that every spring/summer are attacked by caterpillars. They look a bit similar, but not as dramatic as this tree.

Carolina said...

Hey, and I see you've taken the - what do you call it? - monitoring? option for comments away. So you've found the solution?

jabblog said...

Thank you all. I'm not fond of spiders though I know they do sterling work but these trees just look so fantastic.

Madeleine Maddocks said...

Oh wow that is soooo creepy!
Would make a great subject for a poem...

Mo said...

OMG my worst nightmare

Friko said...

A beautiful sight, but what happens next?

jabblog said...

Mo - I understand:-)Not something I would be keen to get close to.

Friko - who knows? I shall have to investigate.

jane.healy said...

That really is amazing - I don't mind spiders, I mean I wouldn't pick one up out of choice but I can easily enter a room with a spider in it and not faint.
Amazing photograph.

Isabel Doyle said...

Not for arachnophobes nor those who would dust and eliminate cobwebs!

Brilliant image.

Isabel x

Susannah said...

Wow that is really amazing, and quite beautiful too.

Liza said...

I don't have an issue with spiders, but I wouldn't be anywhere near that tree.

Emm said...

Oh wow, that is a giant spider web. That is disturbing (even for a spider fan like me) but strangely fascinating.

This is us - or some of us!

This blog contains random thoughts and ramblings of a mostly inconsequential nature with occasional rants on subjects various.



Please be aware that all photographs on this blog are the property of jabblog unless otherwise stated. In the unlikely event that you would like to use any of these photographs please be polite and contact me for permission. Thank you.



I enjoy your company and appreciate your comments but would prefer not to accept blog awards.

About Me

My Photo
Berkshire, United Kingdom
Wife, mother, grandmother, Always curious, good listener, interested in people. I'm on Twitter @jabblog