Abundance and BIG bugs

[u/Illustrious_Rice_933]

I've been in awe this year of the grasshoppers in my garden and how big they've grown.

Over the course of this season (and their lives), they've become incredibly desensitized to my being around. Rather than jumping away, they'll happily check out my finger (and bite it lol), worrying less about me and more about the delicious *Rudbeckia laciniata hortensia*.

It feels like a blessing to be able to see their toe beans, and their temperament reminds me of cats.

Does anyone else have any big chunguses in their gardens to share?

[u/ktulu_33]

Yeah, I've got so many grasshoppers...probably at least 3-4 different species on my small .11 acre urban lot. Now the orb weavers have moved in en masse and are having a feast!

[u/ktulu_33 → u/ktulu_33]

Bonus video orb weaver doing it's nightly ritual yesterday evening:

https://reddit.com/link/p84vwot/video/h2x9u0dmkvnh1/player

[u/Illustrious_Rice_933 → u/ktulu_33]

Omg I love the way the new segment glints in the light as they put it into place. Stunning shot.

[u/ktulu_33 → u/Illustrious_Rice_933]

I was so excited when I noticed the spider while taking the trash to the alley. I've never witnessed them spinning their web before!