I think it's safe to say many of us envy you your hikes, Casey, including this one! Are those X's carved into the wood?

Another view of yesterday's spider. I think it's a Grass Spider, the kind that make funnel-shaped webs in the grass.

Yes Susan, they do that so the steps won't be slippery in the rain/snow. Boardwalks are like that as well, or covered in chicken wire.

I was less than an inch away, Murraysmom. I'm just sayin'. ;-)

What a wonderful old Irish house!

Glad you explained that Susan - I assumed your used a zoom.

Oh Susan. All I can think is what if it had been a jumping spider! It's amazing, when you think about it, that it let you get that close and take the picture. Amazing, or scary. That is a spider with a lot of moxie!!

Insects and spiders almost always let me get close. Maybe they realize I mean them no harm. Or maybe they don't notice me. :-)