tarantula
skp was mowing the backyard for the first time this year today. needless to say, the grass was a bit long after this rainy winter. As she was clearing the jungle, she noticed a brown, furry forest dweller emerge from some uncut growth. It was a California Brown Tarantula. I had no idea we had tarantulas here in North America. I thought they were some exotic tropical creature from far, far away. Anyway, it's true. They're not poisonous...and this little guy didn't seem very threatening. (other than his looks.) I found this article about them.