Tarantula

[Bfox]

Spotted crossing the road on Mt. Diablo in Northern California.
This guy is about 5 or 6 inces across.
This time of the year the sexually mature males (around 7 years old) are leaving their burrows and seeking out females to mate with.
They will continue their search until the colder weather arrives in winter and then they will die.
The females live for about 20 years.
-Brad
http://foxfoto.smugmug.com/photos/35926580-M.jpg

[Harryb]

Ugly looking cuss. :yikes good pic though. :thumb

[Steve Cavigliano]

Very nice Brad :thumb :thumb and welcome to Dgrin :wave

Even though they are skerry lookin', I think tarantulas are soooo photogenic :clap

Good work and let's see some more :D
Steve

[pmccurdy]

Spotted crossing the road on Mt. Diablo in Northern California.
This guy is about 5 or 6 inces across.
This time of the year the sexually mature males (around 7 years old) are leaving their burrows and seeking out females to mate with.
They will continue their search until the colder weather arrives in winter and then they will die.
The females live for about 20 years.
-Brad


When I lived in Walnut Creek I used to ride my bike up that road all the time. Great location for wildlife. I've seen tarantula, bobcat, deer, coyote, and lots of hawks. I know there are big cats, opossum, skunk, and raccoon in the area, too, but never saw any on the mountain.

Fantastic landscapes from the top and nice barns favored by painters at the bottom of Northgate Road. You can also drive around the east side of the mountain on Morgan Territory Road, which takes you through several environmental zones.

Nice photo of a wonderfully hideous creature!

Patrick