[ckcarr]

I'm fairly sensitive to bees and wasps, so I wasn't too keen on provoking the guy. True they aren't severely poisonous like a black widow but some people have allergic reactions to the bite which can affect breathing. Plus I just read that you can get a strong itching reaction from the hairs too as they secrete some chemical. I hear they can jump pretty far when they put their mind to it also. Being about 30 miles from anyone changes your perspective on toying with it too much though. The surprise is when your sitting on a rock and the thing lumbers by. I followed it for a while, then it found it's hole and disappeared into the ground.

I did find this, which I'm always attracted to. Not a great picture, it was bad light and getting dark, but I love the little hand prints.