Itsy Bitsy Spider -- or NOT!

Last weekend, following our trip to the zoo, we took a walk in one of our many local nature parks. It was late afternoon and the sun through the changing leaves was wonderful! However, what was NOT wonderful, was the plentiful population of spiders. 
I have an intense dislike (perhaps irrational fear) of these 8-legged arachnids. I have been known, on more than one occasion, to call a tolerant neighbor fellow to rescue me and my kids from a spider when hubby was not home. And on other occasions, I have been known to sit in petrified stillness, watching a spider (you know, he might run and hide and then I'd never know for sure where he was) until an appropriate spider-killer returns home. 
Our walk had all the makings of a desensitization session -- you know, exposure to the feared object or bug. They were everywhere! It'd be fine if they spun their very large and nicely illuminated webs off the trail, but these fiendish things dangled themselves over the trail as well. I'm afraid my paranoia was readily apparent to my children. It may have been the shrieking and ducking. Little Sis would run and hold my hand, saying, "I'm going to calm you down." This from a three year old. Oh, the shame. Big D facilitated from being on the look out for spiders to warn mom and pretending to see them crawling on mom. Such a boy. 
The irony is not lost on me -- taking pictures of my nemesis. The webs were truly beautiful and somehow I feel safer behind the view finder. A phenomena I have noticed when photographing bees as well. Oh fickle, irrational mind! 

This month's word at ShutterSisters is illuminate. What fun! I love the colors and light of fall. I'm going to head out this weekend to try to capture some to share.