THE HUNTSMAN

     There is a story told here;  but it is not a legend, not to the locals, for they have seen him.  Still, many recent arrivals can only wish that the tales told of 'The Huntsman' are nothing more than that - legend.  I will tell you this, that when I heard of him, his description, his

movement and motives, a chill ran up my spine and I was viscerally moved.  He moves through these tropical jungles quickly and silently stalking those unlucky enough to cross his path when he 'feeds'.  He wears camouflage and is known to wait and watch his prey.  Then with a jumping-running motion he is on you.  The last thing

you are likely to see is the red stains around his hairy mouth and his eight crazy eyes bearing down on you. Yes!He has

Crazy Eight Eyes, I tell ya!  Crazy Eights!  AAHHHHhhh! 

     By now you may have figured out that the 'The Huntsman' is a knarly looking spider and not a knarly looking Chris Helmsworth. Luckily the spider is every bit as harmless to humans as the movie actor.  But I have to admit that I will scan the ceiling and corners of the room now and again, and I jump a bit when a leaf blows onto the veranda.

     But the Huntsman is more afraid of humans, than humans are afraid of it.  However, in this case, I do not fit into the 'most' category.  So I am putting out an all points bulletin to Huntsmen & Huntswomen spiders everywhere...."Please Stay Away From Me!"

      See, I do just fine when coping with creatures that have one eye per leg as nature has intended - like most people do.

But eight eyes AND eight legs!?  It seems a little excessive - that's all I'm saying. 

Why don't they just stay home and knit like other spiders or make a trap door, or spell out cute little messages like 'Some Pig' or 'Terrific' in their web? 

Why must they stalk their prey?  I'll bet you one Panamanian Balboa ($1) there are no Huntsman spiders named    'Charlotte'.  No, they are probably more likely named something like 'Charles' or 'Bitey'.

Huntsman spiders do eat cockroaches, however, which is a plus.  But who wants to see that?  Really?!

If you do, your name is probably Charles.