Biodiversity And Deep Spider Thinking

Don't worry, says Sweezus, remembering what Katherine told him.

What about? asks Mo.

The spider, says Sweezus. They can't jump. Just keep still, then walk backwards.

I can't keep still and walk backwards, says Mo.

Okay, just walk backwards slowly, says Sweezus.

I found it, says Mo. It's MY funnel web spider. You wait here and I'll go and find mum.

She turns and runs away quickly.

Unni comes over.

Oh wow! says Unni. A real funnel web. Now what?

Dunno, says Sweezus. Look how it's looking at me.

It's heaps angry, says Unni. Let me take a photo. Get a bit nearer.

Sweezus thinks: yeah this would make a great photo, I could show it to Gaius.

He edges nearer.

Get down level with her face, says Unni. Now smile. Not you, Spider.

The spider is not sure what is happening. She waits for a clue.

usually what happens is someone with gloves on.....

like the bad thing that happened to her sister.....

and what's this about she can't jump? she can make a silk lining.....

....and anyway zzz ( she sinks into deep spider thinking).

So the photograph turns out quite well.

Step away, please, says someone.

Unni and Sweezus turn round.

It's a Ranger, with Mo, Faith and Joybells.

You don't want to mess with those spiders, says Ranger Rose.

Just taking a photo, says Unni. Look how it turned out.

It turned out quite well, says Ranger Rose. It looks like it's smiling.

That's me, says Sweezus.

The spider, says Ranger Rose. But yeah, you're smiling too. You must be nuts. Those things are poisonous.

Nuts, says Mo. You must be nuts.

Okay, says Sweezus. We're done now. I've got a photo.

I'm Ranger Rose, says Ranger Rose ( because she has not introduced herself ). Are you interested in funnel webs? There was another guy here, a few weeks ago, Doctor Wallenius. Doing a biodiversity study.

Cool, says Sweezus. That's kind of what we're doing.

Yeah? says Ranger Rose. Well if you see any Bristlebirds or Green and Golden Bell Frogs just give us a hoy. They're endangered.

Frogs I can handle, says Sweezus. But not Bristlebirds.

You're a weird one, says Ranger Rose.

Merve and Mark stumble through the undergrowth.

Oh here you are, kids! says Mark. I hope you haven't been getting into trouble with the ranger.

Oh no, says Ranger Rose. They've been excellent junior rangers. They came to report that they found a funnel web spider.

Oh my goodness, says Merve. Well done girls! Where is it?

In there! says Mo, pointing.

Watch out! cries Joybells. It'll bite you!

They can't jump, says Mo.

Good knowledge! says Ranger Rose.

The funnel web spider backs into her silk lined tunnel slowly.

When her sister comes home she will ask her sister what is so good about jumping.