First Strawberry Blossom and Garden Friends

The first strawberry blossom appeared a few days ago and now several more are on their way. Here is the picture of the first, taken today:



While I was watering and turning my plants (I try to rotate them so they get even sun throughout the week) I found a not-so-little spider trying desperately to avoid my hand while also avoiding my gaze. I saw a quick movement of something dark and removed my hand from the nylon "stabilizer" that we fashioned to keep the tree growing straight. He was hanging out on the nylon and I didn't see him until just in time. I called Doug out to have a look at his hairy, fat, little arachnid body.






Doug quickly announced that these were among the coolest of spiders, called "Garden Spiders". (Probably not the true name...) He said it was good for my garden that he was there; he would take care that none of the nasty little aphids and mites chewed their way through my plants.

On another note, I have been noticing the cutest little black and white bees, no bigger than the size of my pinky nail, hovering around the blossoms on my little plants. I have even caught them napping on a sunny strawberry leaf or two (or so I like to think).